• Japan protests after Chinese jets lock radar on Japanese military aircraft.
• Chinese Navy denies claims, asserting Japanese planes disrupted their training.
• Tensions heightened following Japanese PM's remarks on Taiwan's security.

Japan has formally protested to China after Chinese military aircraft allegedly locked radar onto Japanese fighter jets over international waters southeast of Okinawa. Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Funakoshi Takehiro summoned Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao, describing the actions as "dangerous" and "extremely regrettable," specifically urging China to prevent future incidents. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the seriousness of the radar locks, according to Channel News Asia and AA.

The Chinese military stated that the incidents, which involved Chinese J-15 jets launched from the Liaoning aircraft carrier, were exaggerated, and accused Japan of sending aircraft to interfere with its training exercises. Tokyo firmly rejected these claims, asserting that its Self-Defense Forces maintained a safe distance throughout the incident, according to reports from India Times and Al Jazeera.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara reiterated Tokyo's claim that the radar locking was "beyond what was necessary for safe aircraft operations." The Japanese military reported that this was among the most tense military engagements in recent time, with radar incidents prompting defensive maneuvers, which could signify an imminent attack, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The recent surge in tensions between China and Japan follows statements from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who warned that any military action against Taiwan could pose a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. This remark has been met with strong criticism from Beijing, which has accused Tokyo of acting provocatively. Furthermore, when Japan sought clarification from China during the incident via a bilateral hotline established in 2018, there were reports indicating no response was received, highlighting the strained diplomatic channels, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.