• Chinese J-15 fighter jets flew as close as 45 meters to Japanese P-3C surveillance aircraft.
• Japan expresses serious concerns and requests China to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
• The encounters coincide with the simultaneous operations of two Chinese aircraft carriers in the Pacific.

Japan has raised serious concerns after Chinese J-15 fighter jets conducted multiple close-proximity maneuvers near its military P-3C patrol aircraft over the weekend. These incidents occurred in the Pacific Ocean as two Chinese aircraft carriers, Shandong and Liaoning, operated together for the first time, which Japan perceives as a sign of China's expanding military capabilities, according to channelnewsasia and Reuters.

On several occasions, a J-15 jet from the Shandong chased a Japanese P-3C for up to 80 minutes, during which it approached within 45 meters of the patrol aircraft. Japan's Defence Ministry expressed that such "abnormal approaches" could lead to accidental collisions, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi formally protesting to Beijing over the incidents, according to Indiatimes and Al Jazeera.

During the encounters, the Chinese jets not only shadowed the P-3C but also crossed approximately 900 meters ahead of it at the same altitude, making the situation even more precarious. The Japanese Defence Minister noted no injuries occurred among personnel, yet emphasized the need for effective airspace monitoring around Japan, as outlined by TRT Global and Indiatimes.

In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the Japanese military's close reconnaissance of China's standard military activities, leading to mutual blame between the two nations. China's military maneuvers were described as routine training, while Japan views them as a threat, warns that such activities could provoke an unexpected incident. Analysts suggest these operations also serve to demonstrate China's military assertiveness amidst U.S.-China tensions, as reported by South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.

Historically, similar close encounters have occurred, with the most notable incidents happening more than a decade ago, raising alarms about regional air safety. The recent flight paths of the Chinese carriers near Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) are being monitored closely as tensions between Japan and China continue to escalate, according to Al Jazeera.