Japan’s claim that Chinese fighter jets aimed their radar at Japanese military aircraft near the Okinawa islands has ignited fresh concerns over rising military friction in East Asia. The incident, which Japan called “extremely regrettable,” comes at a time when both countries are sharpening their defensive postures and rethinking the balance of power around Taiwan.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the radar illuminations constituted a “dangerous act” that exceeded what is necessary for safe flight operations. The government has filed a protest with Beijing. China, however, disputes the account and has accused Japan of disrupting routine naval training.
The encounter is one of the most serious in recent years and highlights how quickly tension between the two powers is escalating.
Japan Says Incident Crossed a Line
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Japan would respond “resolutely and calmly” while maintaining regional stability. Japanese officials have not confirmed whether the radar beam constituted a weapons lock, but military analysts note that any radar illumination is interpreted as a potential threat.
The incident took place near the Miyako Strait, a critical waterway used by China’s navy to enter the Pacific. Japan monitors the area closely, particularly as tensions over Taiwan increase.
Chinese J-15 jets involved in the encounter reportedly took off from the Liaoning aircraft carrier, which was operating south of Okinawa with three missile destroyers. Japan scrambled F-15 fighters in response to the carrier’s flight operations.
China has rejected Japan’s version of events. Navy spokesperson Colonel Wang Xuemeng said Japanese aircraft were the ones causing disruptions.
“We solemnly demand that the Japanese side stop slandering and strictly restrain front-line actions,” Wang said.
Beijing Says Japan Is Changing, Not China
China argues that its operations were lawful and announced in advance. Officials say Japan has become more militarized and more closely aligned with U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific.
Relations between Beijing and Tokyo have become increasingly strained since Prime Minister Takaichi warned that Japan could respond to a Chinese military move against Taiwan if Japan’s own security were threatened. Taiwan lies just 110 km from Japan’s westernmost island.
China has also advised citizens not to travel to Japan and has paused plans to restart seafood imports following Japan’s release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.
Regional Concerns Rise as Military Activity Expands
Australia expressed concern following the radar incident. Defense Minister Richard Marles, who met Koizumi in Tokyo, said Australia stood with Japan “in upholding the rules-based order.”
Taiwan, which has faced increasing Chinese pressure, said Beijing’s large-scale naval presence across East Asian waters poses a threat to regional stability. More than 100 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels were reportedly deployed across the region last week.
Taiwan’s coast guard said it was monitoring China’s maritime drills but described the waters as “normal,” accusing Beijing of using “misleading and false wording” to justify pressure on the island.
China insists it has sovereignty over the entire Taiwan Strait. The United States and Taiwan maintain that the strait is an international waterway.
U.S. Response Remains Muted
While U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass has expressed support for Tokyo, senior U.S. officials — including President Donald Trump — have remained publicly silent. That silence stands out as Washington attempts to stabilize ties with China ahead of Trump’s planned visit to Beijing next year.
People familiar with the matter say Trump previously urged Takaichi not to escalate tensions. The call reportedly followed Trump’s conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping about Taiwan.
A Region Entering a New Security Era
The radar incident underscores a broader transformation in East Asia. Japan is becoming more outspoken on security issues, China is projecting power further into the Pacific, and the U.S. is recalibrating its approach as it navigates diplomacy with Beijing.
The airspace over the seas near Okinawa is no longer just a location for military drills — it is where rival visions of Asia’s future collide. With both countries accusing each other of provocation, the risk of miscalculation is growing.
For now, both sides say they want stability. But the radar beam fired near Okinawa highlights a reality that no country in the region can ignore: Asia’s military balance is shifting, and even routine encounters can rapidly escalate.