Japan has issued a stern warning to China after a near collision between a Chinese fighter jet and a Japanese patrol plane over the Pacific Ocean, calling the encounter “seriously concerning” and warning of the potential for a dangerous escalation.
According to Japan’s defense ministry, a Chinese J-15 fighter jet took off from the aircraft carrier Shandong and flew within just 45 meters of a Japanese Self-Defence Forces (SDF) surveillance aircraft last weekend. The ministry said the incident, which took place over international waters, could have led to a catastrophic accident. The J-15 reportedly also passed directly in front of another Japanese aircraft at the same altitude, 900 meters away.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi addressed the incident on Thursday, urging Beijing to take steps to avoid a repeat. “These abnormal approaches pose serious risks,” Hayashi said. “We demand that China act responsibly under international norms.”
While the Japanese aircraft and crew were unharmed, Tokyo expressed grave concern over what it described as “dangerous and provocative” actions.
China, however, rejected the accusations outright. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian blamed Japan for escalating tensions by conducting close-range reconnaissance during China’s “normal military activities.”
“The root cause of this risk lies with Japan’s actions, not ours,” Lin said, calling for Tokyo to cease what it termed “dangerous behavior.”
The confrontation is the latest flashpoint in a growing list of tensions across the Asia-Pacific region, as China expands its military footprint. The Shandong, alongside China’s first carrier, the Liaoning, conducted rare dual aircraft carrier drills last weekend, pushing into Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and beyond the so-called “second island chain” a key strategic line that includes Guam and other US-aligned territories.
Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said the maneuvers were clearly designed to test China’s ability to project power further into the Pacific. “This shows an increased ambition to operate in distant sea and airspace,” Nakatani stated.
Chinese state media defended the exercises, describing them as lawful and peaceful, while accusing Japan of violating its postwar constitution by deploying new missile systems to Kyushu and ramping up weapons procurement.
Tensions are also flaring between China and other regional powers. In recent months, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has faced criticism from Australia, the Philippines, the US, and Canada for reckless behavior in the air and sea. In February, Chinese forces held live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea, further alarming defense officials in the region.
Despite reassurances from Beijing that its defense posture remains “defensive in nature,” regional powers view the increased assertiveness, particularly around Taiwan and disputed territories, as a clear signal of Beijing’s strategic ambitions.
Japan continues to monitor China’s activities closely and has vowed to maintain its own security posture while seeking to avoid direct confrontation.
“The peace and stability of this region is not something to be gambled with,” said Hayashi. “We will act with caution, but also with resolve.”
