Japan on Thursday strongly urged China to prevent another near collision following the recent China-Japan military encounter. The incident involved a Chinese J-15 warplane and a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) P-3C patrol plane flying dangerously.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed Tokyo’s “serious concern” about the China-Japan military encounter. Japan will maintain communication with China through diplomatic and defense channels.
The close encounter happened on Saturday when the Chinese J-15, launched from the aircraft carrier Shandong. Both aircraft were at the same altitude, greatly increasing the risk of collision. However, the next day another Chinese J-15 passed about 900 meters in front of the Japanese plane.
Hayashi declined to comment on China’s intentions behind these risky maneuvers could have caused a serious accident. Japan expressed its concerns to China through Vice Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi, who met with Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao.
Japan plans to increase “warning and surveillance activities” to protect its airspace and territorial waters amid rising Chinese military activity. This includes the confirmed simultaneous operations of China’s two aircraft carriers, the Shandong and Liaoning, in the Pacific.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian responded that China’s military actions comply with international law. He blamed Japanese “close-in reconnaissance” of China’s “normal” military operations as the root cause of maritime and air security risks.
Despite the tension, Lin confirmed that defense authorities from both nations continue to communicate through existing channels. This China-Japan military encounter underscores ongoing tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. Both sides face pressure to avoid escalation and carefully manage military activities. Maintaining regional peace and stability remains a critical priority.
