CaliToday (08/12/2025): Tensions in the East China Sea reached a dangerous new peak this morning following a revelation by the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) regarding a "highly provocative" encounter between Japanese surveillance aircraft and Chinese carrier-based fighters over the weekend.
According to Defense officials, Chinese J-15 "Flying Shark" fighters, launched from the aircraft carrier Liaoning, directed their radar at Japanese aircraft in international waters southeast of Okinawa. The most alarming detail, however, was the duration: the radar "lock-on" an action typically performed immediately before firing a missile persisted intermittently and continuously for approximately 30 minutes.
A "Mock Attack" Simulation?
While military aircraft frequently monitor each other in the region, the use of Fire-Control Radar (FCR) is considered a hostile act just short of actual combat. Unlike search radar, which broadly scans the sky, FCR focuses a narrow beam on a specific target to guide weaponry.
"The purpose of the radar illumination remains unclear, but this went far beyond simple position verification," a statement from the MoD read. "This behavior can be interpreted as a simulated attack run, placing our forces on extreme alert."
Inside the Cockpit: "Unprecedented Danger"
The gravity of the incident was underscored by the testimony of Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) personnel. Sensors inside the Japanese F-15 cockpit—specifically the Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)clearly recorded the specific frequency and signature of the J-15’s targeting radar.
"Receiving a continuous radar lock from an adversary with unclear intentions is unprecedented," a senior Self-Defense Force official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity. "This is a line that Japan absolutely does not cross during intercepts. The pilot undoubtedly felt their life was in immediate danger."
For a pilot, a 30-minute duration is an eternity, forcing them to fly evasive maneuvers while uncertain if a missile launch is imminent.
Strategic Implications: The Liaoning Factor
The incident occurred as the Chinese carrier Liaoning conducts high-tempo flight operations in the Pacific. Analysts suggest this may be China testing the reaction times and electronic warfare capabilities of Japanese forces guarding the strategic "First Island Chain."
Tokyo’s Response: Calm but Wary
Despite the severity of the provocation, the Japanese government is urging a measured response to avoid an accidental war.
"We cannot rule out the possibility that China will take more threatening actions during their exercises in the East China Sea and the Pacific," a government official stated. "However, Japan will respond calmly and resolutely."
Notably, the Ministry of Defense declined to comment on whether the Japan-China direct military hotline—established specifically to prevent such mid-air collisions—was activated during the 30-minute standoff. The silence on this channel suggests that diplomatic mechanisms may be strained.