By Saadet Gokce
ISTANBUL (AA) - Japan on Sunday accused Chinese fighter jets of directing their fire-control radar at Japanese F-15 aircraft in two separate incidents over international waters.
The incidents occurred over waters southeast of Japan's Okinawa island on Saturday, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said in statement on the US social media company X.
He said the J-15 aircraft that took off from Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, locked on two Japanese military aircraft "intermittently" in the separate engagements.
Koizumi called the act "dangerous," and that Tokyo lodged a "strong protest" with Beijing, urging against repeat of such alleged incidents. No damage or injuries were reported from the incidents, he added.
The development comes as tensions run high between Beijing and Tokyo following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Nov. 7 that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could legally constitute a "survival-threatening situation," potentially allowing Japan to "exercise the right of collective self-defense." Her statement raised tensions between the two countries.
China sharply criticized the comments, urged tourists not to visit Japan, suspended seafood imports, and also postponed a trilateral culture ministers’ meeting with Japan and South Korea.
Taiwan is claimed by Beijing and lies near Japan’s Yonaguni Island.