Japan’s Ministry of Defense said Wednesday that Chinese military aircraft conducted unusually close intercepts of a Japanese reconnaissance plane over international waters in the East China Sea, raising fresh concerns about the risk of an accidental collision.
According to the ministry, a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) YS-11EB electronic intelligence aircraft was approached on two separate occasions by Chinese JH-7 fighter-bombers.
On July 9, at approximately 10:50 a.m., a Chinese JH-7 closed to within 30 meters laterally and 60 meters vertically of the JASDF aircraft while it was on a routine surveillance mission. The encounter lasted around 15 minutes, with the Chinese jet reportedly passing beneath the Japanese aircraft multiple times.
The following day, a similar incident occurred when a JH-7 flew as close as 60 meters horizontally and 30 meters vertically for about 10 minutes, the ministry said.
“The unusual approach by Chinese fighters could cause an unintended collision,” Japan’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement, calling the behavior “deeply concerning” and demanding measures to prevent a recurrence.
Tokyo lodged a formal protest with Beijing following the incidents.
The encounters follow a series of similar close intercepts in recent months. In June, Chinese fighters reportedly flew near a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol aircraft monitoring the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong in the Pacific Ocean. That incident also drew protests from Japan, with officials warning of potential escalatory risks.
Beijing has not commented on the Japanese claims.