Japan Summons Chinese Ambassador Over Fighter Jet Radar Incident

Tokyo — Dec. 8, 2025

Japan has called in China’s ambassador following reports that Chinese military aircraft twice locked fire-control radar onto Japanese fighter jets, escalating tensions between the two nations.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Ambassador Wu Jianghao on Sunday to protest what it described as the “extremely regrettable” and dangerous actions of Chinese J-15 fighter jets over international waters southeast of Okinawa’s main island. Japanese forces had scrambled aircraft to shadow the Chinese Liaoning aircraft carrier when the jets allegedly targeted them with radar signals — a claim Beijing denies.

Using radar to illuminate another aircraft signals a potential attack and forces pilots to take evasive action, making it one of the most threatening maneuvers a military plane can perform.

The diplomatic move comes amid growing strain between Beijing and Tokyo following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks last month. She stated that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would create a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, implying the possibility of Tokyo’s military intervention.

This incident reflects the rising tensions in the East China Sea as both countries continue to exchange accusations, with the radar episode highlighting the risks of miscalculation between major military powers in the region.
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