Japan Condemns Dangerous Close Encounter with Chinese Fighter Jets
Japan has formally expressed serious concerns following a perilous encounter last weekend, where Chinese fighter aircraft flew dangerously close—within a mere 45 metres—to a Japanese military patrol plane in the Pacific Ocean.
Details of the Incident
The Japanese Defense Ministry revealed that on both Saturday and Sunday, Chinese J-15 fighters from the Shandong aircraft carrier tracked a Japanese P-3C surveillance aircraft for prolonged periods—40 minutes on Saturday and 80 minutes on Sunday. During these intervals, the Chinese jets maintained an unusually close distance, shadowing the Japanese plane at the same altitude and sometimes flying just 45 metres away.
Moreover, on Sunday, the Chinese fighter jets were observed flying approximately 900 metres ahead of the Japanese patrol aircraft—a distance the P-3C can cover in seconds at cruising speed. These close maneuvers raise the risk of inadvertent collisions, prompting Japan to lodge a formal protest with Beijing and demand such incidents be prevented in the future.
Context: Increased Chinese Naval Activity
The encounter came soon after reports of two Chinese aircraft carriers sailing together in the Pacific, notably within Japan’s exclusive economic zone. China described this activity as "routine training" but Japan viewed it as a sign of expanding Chinese military reach in the region.
Historical Comparisons and Strategic Implications
This episode is not entirely unprecedented. Similar aggressive encounters were reported over a decade ago, in 2014, when Chinese Su-27 fighter jets approached Japanese military aircraft as close as 30 metres.
Analysts suggest the timing of China’s latest show of force could be linked to ongoing economic tensions between the US and China. Some experts believe Beijing may calculate that the US is currently less inclined or able to respond militarily, making this an opportune moment to demonstrate its growing military capabilities.
Official Responses and Next Steps
Japan’s defense ministry conveyed its concerns through both diplomatic channels and direct communication between defense officials. Fortunately, no injuries were reported following these tense aerial interactions.
As regional security dynamics continue to shift, incidents like these underscore the fragile nature of military encounters in contested airspace and the potential risks inherent in such close encounters.
