Key Facts
• On December 6, Chinese aircraft intermittently locked radar on Japanese F-15 jets.
• Incident occurred southeast of Okinawa over international waters.
• Chinese media released audio of ship communications on December 9.
• Audio includes a 2:10 PM exchange where China announced training plans.
• Japan acknowledged receipt of the communication.
• Another exchange at 2:28 PM detailed a six-hour training session.
• Chinese claims: Japanese aircraft entered designated training zones, approaching within 50 km.
• Japan protested the radar lock as a “dangerous act.”
• China accused Japan of deliberate tracking and interference.
• Japan’s Defense Minister denied prior notification of training zones.
Summary
Chinese media released audio recordings of communications between Chinese and Japanese naval vessels preceding a radar lock incident on December 6. The recordings, published on December 9, detail exchanges where China informed Japan of planned training exercises. Japan acknowledged receipt of these communications. The incident involved Chinese J-15 fighter jets locking radar on Japanese F-15 jets over international waters near Okinawa. China claimed Japanese aircraft entered its training zones, while Japan labeled the radar lock as a dangerous act and protested strongly. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions and differing narratives between the two nations.
