(Tokyo, Japan, 7th) Japan's Ministry of Defense stated that, on the afternoon of the 6th, fighter jets launched from the Chinese aircraft carrier 'Liaoning,' which was sailing near Japanese waters, twice illuminated Japanese Self-Defense Force warplanes with radar.
According to Central News Agency reports, radar illumination refers to the activation and target locking of a jet's radar, which means that preparations for a possible launch have been completed, and carries a highly provocative connotation.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi held a press conference in the early hours of the 7th, stating, "This is an extremely regrettable act. We have strongly protested to the Chinese side and sternly demanded that such incidents be prevented from reoccurring."
According to reports by Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS) and Nikkei, Koizumi explained that between 4:32 and 4:35 p.m. on the 6th, a J-15 fighter jet that took off from the Liaoning intermittently illuminated a Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter with radar in international airspace southeast of Okinawa Island. The Self-Defense jet was carrying out a mission in response to a potential airspace violation.
Subsequently, between 6:37 and 7:08 p.m., another F-15 fighter was also intermittently illuminated by Chinese military aircraft's radar. It is understood that neither the Self-Defense Force jets nor their pilots suffered any harm.
Koizumi said, "This is a dangerous action that goes beyond what is necessary for the safe flight of aircraft. We feel extremely regretful that such an incident occurred. We have strongly protested to the Chinese side and sternly demanded that it not happen again."
This is not the first time Chinese military has illuminated Self-Defense Forces with radar. In January 2013, a Chinese Navy vessel used fire-control radar—typically used during targeting—to illuminate a Maritime Self-Defense Force frigate in international waters in the East China Sea.