Japan’s vice-foreign minister, Funakoshi Takehiro, summoned China’s ambassador, Wu Jianghao, to express strong protest following a recent incident involving Chinese aircraft allegedly locking radar onto Japanese fighter jets. The engagement happened south-east of Okinawa’s main islands, in waters that have been the site of increased military presence in recent weeks.
China’s People Liberation Army (PLA) had claimed it was conducting “far-sea training” in the area when the incident occurred. Japan’s defence ministry reported approximately 100 fighter jet take-offs from China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier as part of these operations. Worries are increasing about worsening relations between the two countries. Yet as recent reports have documented, they have a long history of such embroilment in disputes—many times, military activities and territorial claims.
Japan’s defence minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, denounced the collision, calling it “dangerous and very unfortunate”. “Japanese airspace is safe,” he said, and warned of the threat followed by calls for vigilance and strong defensive posture to protect airspace. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan “will respond calmly and resolutely” to the claims. She declared that Japan would do whatever it takes to strengthen its maritime and airspace surveillance capabilities. This decision is a direct result of China’s most recent provocations.
The prime minister’s comments were a direct response to China’s actions near Okinawa, which Japan perceives as aggressive and threatening. Japan’s revisionist claims have been challenged by China, who called the complaints “completely inconsistent with the facts.” China’s foreign ministry blamed Japan’s self-defense forces for the “provocations.” He accused them of “maliciously tracking” China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier group during its combat training exercises.
“The Japanese side, by hyping up the so-called issue of ‘radar illumination’, is deliberately making a false accusation against China to build up tension and mislead the international community.” – spokesperson for China
Apart from the military clashes, Japanese-Chinese relations have deteriorated sharply in recent weeks. The quarrels grew more intense when, in late March, Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi hinted that a PLA attack on Taiwan might prompt Japanese military participation. China, retaliating in turn, reimposed a ban on Japanese seafood. At the same time, the country has been ramping up its deployment of military and coast guard ships and planes to patrolling disputed territories.
Even former U.S. president Donald Trump has expressed his interest in the embryo transfer situation. He calls on Prime Minister Takaichi not to escalate tensions further in the contentious row with China. His comments echo recent fears that escalating confrontation in East Asia could branch out into more extensive global geopolitical disorder.
Indeed, as both countries have to steer through a tough and multiform situation, risks of miscommunication and miscalculation are exacerbated. The regional and international communities are eagerly watching to see how Japan and China manage their disputes. Further inflating tensions are military posturing and mutually competing territorial claims by the two nations.