Japan Disregards China's Rationale Regarding Warplanes' Near Misses
In a strongly-worded statement at a press conference, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani firmly rejected China's explanation regarding the close approaches of Chinese military aircraft to Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) planes in the East China Sea and Pacific Ocean.
Nakatani stated that China's claim that the Japanese aircraft provoked the incident was "utterly wrong," emphasizing that the Japanese surveillance flights were conducted normally and appropriately. Specifically, a Chinese JH-7 fighter-bomber approached a Japanese YS-11EB intelligence-gathering aircraft as close as 30 meters horizontally over the East China Sea on July 9 and similarly on the following day. A related incident occurred over the Pacific Ocean in June.
Japan's Defense Ministry warned that these aggressive maneuvers by Chinese military aircraft create a risk of collision and elevate tensions in the region. Japan also conveyed serious concern to the Chinese ambassador, urging China to cease these provocative actions and avoid future close encounters.
The incidents over the Pacific Ocean in June were also addressed by Nakatani, who stated that the ASDF aircraft were engaged in surveillance activity during the incidents.
China defended its actions, claiming its military aircraft were conducting legitimate and professional responses to Japanese intelligence-gathering missions that reportedly entered China's air defense identification zone. Chinese officials dismissed Japan's claims of abnormal closeness, accusing Japan of provocative reconnaissance activities that increase security risks.
The broader context includes Japan's 2025 defense white paper, which highlights the growing threat posed by China's expanding airpower reach beyond the First Island Chain, including advances in bomber, fighter, and carrier capabilities, further intensifying regional security challenges.
In summary, the Japanese Defense Minister's response to China's close military flights is one of firm rejection of China's justification, deep concern over the repeated provocative approaches, and formal demands to China to prevent recurrence due to the heightened risk they pose to regional stability and safety. Nakatani strongly requested the Chinese side to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
- Amid the ongoing general news and political discussions, Nakatani shared a photo of the July 9 incident in the East China Sea, highlighting the dangerous proximity of a Chinese JH-7 fighter-bomber to a Japanese YS-11EB intelligence-gathering aircraft.
- Against the backdrop of war-and-conflicts and escalating tensions in the region, Japanese diplomats sent a formal letter to China, including recent press photos of the June Pacific Ocean incidents, expressing concern over China's aggressive military actions and the need for de-escalation in their shared airspace.
