Chinese J-15 from Liaonin Aircraft Carrier Directs Radar at ASDF F-15 Jets Twice (Update 2)

The Yomiuri Shimbun

8:26 JST, December 7, 2025 (updated at 16:30 JST, Dec. 7)

A Chinese J-15 fighter jet that took off from the Liaoning aircraft carrier directed radar at Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter jets twice on Saturday afternoon and evening over international waters southeast of Okinawa Island, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi revealed at an emergency press conference in the early hours of Sunday.

The defense minister said Tokyo lodged a strong protest to China through diplomatic and defense channels, calling them dangerous acts that could lead to unforeseen events.

This is the first time Japan has publicly disclosed incidents in which radar from a Chinese military aircraft was directed at Self-Defense Forces aircraft.

According to the ministry, the first such use of radar occurred from about 4:32 p.m. to about 4:35 p.m. on Saturday. The second incident occurred from about 6:37 p.m. to 7:08 p.m. against a different F-15 jet.

In both cases, the SDF aircraft detected the radar being directed. The Japanese and Chinese fighter jets were at a distance beyond visual range. There was no damage to the SDF aircraft and no personnel were hurt.

The Liaoning was confirmed to be sailing near Kubashima Island, west of Okinawa Island, on Friday afternoon. On Saturday morning, the Chinese aircraft carrier passed between Okinawa Island and Miyakojima Island along with three guided-missile destroyers and proceeded into the Pacific Ocean. Subsequently, carrier-based fighter jets and helicopters took off and landed on the carrier about 270 kilometers west of Okidaitojima Island, prompting the ASDF to scramble fighter jets.

Fighter aircraft radar is used not only for fire control to lock onto targets as an initial step for firing, but also for search operations. However, the ministry judged it to be a dangerous act targeting SDF aircraft since the radar was directed intermittently at the aircraft for certain periods of time.

“This was a dangerous act exceeding the scope necessary for the safe flight of aircraft, and it is extremely regrettable,” Koizumi said.

A similar incident occurred in January 2013 when a Chinese frigate directed its fire-control radar at a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer.

Later on Sunday, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said: “This was a dangerous act exceeding the necessary scope for safe flight. It is extremely regrettable that such an incident occurred.” Takaichi spoke to reporters while visiting Ishikawa Prefecture.

Takaichi said the government had lodged a protest with China and urged Beijing to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.

“We will deal with [the situation] calmly and resolutely. We will closely monitor the movements of the Chinese military and ensure thorough vigilance and surveillance activities in the air and sea areas surrounding our country,” the prime minister emphasized.