Japan says China failed to answer an emergency defense hotline during a weekend incident in which a Chinese J-15 fighter repeatedly locked its radar onto Japanese Self-Defense Force jets near Okinawa.
Tokyo told lawmakers it attempted to use the hotline — created in 2023 to prevent accidental clashes — but Beijing did not pick up.
Japan says China didn't answer hotline during radar incident https://t.co/pd0UnHpN4q
— Nikkei Asia (@NikkeiAsia) December 8, 2025
The episode occurred as China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning sailed between Okinawa and Miyakojima and conducted roughly 100 takeoff-and-landing drills over two days.
Japanese officials warn the carrier’s route was unprecedented and placed fighter jets within seconds of Japanese airspace.
A hotline between Japanese and Chinese defense authorities does not appear to be working after an incident in which Chinese military aircraft directed radar at Japanese Self-Defense Forces jets. https://t.co/2rpBSqWOaa
— The Japan Times (@japantimes) December 9, 2025
Tokyo lodged a protest, calling the radar illumination unacceptable and destabilizing, especially as relations remain strained following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent Taiwan comments.
China rejected Japan’s complaints, accusing SDF aircraft of approaching its training zone and threatening flight safety.
Japanese officials say continued Chinese drills around remote islands raise the risk of an unintended clash.
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