TOKYO – Japan’s top government spokesman on Monday dismissed as “baseless” China’s claim that interference by Self-Defense Forces fighter jets during Chinese naval training prompted radar to be locked on the planes.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a regular press conference that the Air Self-Defense Force jets kept a “safe distance” from Chinese military aircraft off Japan’s southernmost prefecture of Okinawa, while adding communication between Japanese and Chinese defense authorities is “extremely important.”
On Saturday, Chinese J-15 aircraft from the carrier Liaoning locked radar on an ASDF F-15 at around 4:32 p.m. and on another of the planes at around 6:37 p.m. over high seas southeast of Okinawa’s main island, according to the Japanese Defense Ministry.
The Chinese navy said on Sunday that Japanese aircraft “repeatedly approached and disrupted” the Chinese naval training maritime area and airspace, and “seriously endangered flight safety,” though it did not mention a radar lock.
The incident came amid an escalating diplomatic dispute over remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan last month, stirring concern it could evolve into military tensions.
Takaichi said in parliament on Nov. 7 that a military attack on Taiwan could present a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan.
This drew harsh criticism from China, which framed her remarks as indicating that Japan could independently authorize the SDF to act in support of the United States should China impose a maritime blockade on Taiwan or engage in other forms of coercion.
Kihara also said that the radar lock-on incidents were “dangerous acts beyond what was necessary for the safe flight of aircraft” and Japan will take all possible air and maritime surveillance measures while closely monitoring the Chinese military’s activities.
There was no damage to the SDF aircraft, according to the ministry.
BY: The Times Union – KYODO
