S/ Takaichi Sanae, Japanese Prime Minister / It is extremely regrettable that such an incident has occurred. We strongly protested to China and firmly demanded measures to prevent recurrence. We will respond calmly and resolutely.

According to the Defense Ministry, fighter jets that took off from the Chinese Navy’s aircraft carrier Liaoning locked radar intermittently on the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force’s F-15 aircraft on two occasions on the afternoon of December 6.

This is the first time the Defense Ministry has disclosed that Chinese military fighters locked radar on Japanese defense aircraft.

Ministry officials said there was no damage to Japanese planes or personnel.

Radar locking is used not only for targeting before firing but also for search operations.

In this case, because the radar was locked intermittently for a certain duration, the Defense Ministry determined that it was a dangerous act.

Takaichi said Japan will closely monitor China’s military movements and ensure thorough vigilance and surveillance activities around Japan.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Navy criticized Japan on December 7, saying SDF aircraft repeatedly approached and interfered in sea and airspace where it was conducting training, causing serious impact on the drills and threatening flight safety.

China also said Japan’s announcement about the incident is exaggerated and inconsistent with the facts.

The Chinese navy added that it will demand that Japan put an immediate stop to slander and defamation and restrain its actions on site.