Japan accused Chinese military jets of twice locking their fire-control radar on Air Self-Defense Force aircraft over international waters near Okinawa. 

According to Japan’s Defense Ministry, Chinese J-15s “intermittently” targeted Japanese F-15s for several minutes during two separate incidents on Saturday. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said that no personnel were injured and no aircraft were damaged in the incidents. 

“These radar illuminations went beyond what is necessary for the safe flight of aircraft,” Koizumi posted on X, adding that Japan had lodged a protest with China over Saturday’s “regrettable” incident.

Japan said it is closely monitoring Chinese military activity in the waters and airspace surrounding the country.

In a statement Sunday afternoon, China blamed Japan for the encounter, saying it had “maliciously monitored and harassed” the Liaoning carrier group’s activities, “repeatedly sending aircraft to intrude into the training zone China had publicly delineated.” 

“We express strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to Japan’s provocative actions and attempts to mislead public opinion,” Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said.

The encounters come amid rising tensions after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Japan could respond to Chinese action against Taiwan.

Reuters, citing sources and intelligence reports, reported that China deployed a large number of naval and coastguard ships across East Asian waters on Thursday, with the vessels at one point numbering more than 100.

Taiwan’s government described the build-up as posing a threat to the Asia-Pacific region.

Taiwan’s coastguard said on Sunday that it was observing drills by three Chinese maritime safety ships on the western side of the Taiwan Strait’s median line, but added that the situation in the waters surrounding Taiwan was currently ‘normal.’”