Japan and China Blame Each Other After Near-Collision Between Chinese J‑15 Fighter and Japanese Reconnaissance Aircraft

This image provided by Japan's Ministry of Defense shows a Chinese J-15 fighter jet over the Pacific on June 8, 2025. (The Ministry of Defense via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Tensions between Japan and China escalated on Thursday as both nations blamed each other over a dangerous mid-air encounter involving a Chinese fighter jet and Japanese reconnaissance aircraft. Japan raised concerns about the proximity of the incident, warning it could lead to an accidental collision.

The incident involved a Chinese J-15 fighter jet, which Japan's Defense Ministry said took off from the Shandong aircraft carrier and pursued a Japanese P-3C maritime patrol plane during a reconnaissance mission. The Chinese jet reportedly flew as close as 45 meters (about 50 yards) from the Japanese aircraft for approximately 40 minutes on Saturday.

A second incident occurred on Sunday, when another Chinese fighter jet crossed within 900 meters (around 980 yards) in front of a Japanese P-3C aircraft and maintained close range for roughly 80 minutes. Tokyo responded by expressing "serious concern" to Beijing over the aggressive maneuvers.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized the risk of such actions, warning that these encounters could easily lead to unintentional collisions between military aircraft.

China's Foreign Ministry, however, defended the actions of its pilots. Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that Chinese military activities were consistent with international law and accused Japanese aircraft and vessels of conducting close surveillance of Chinese operations, escalating regional tensions.

The confrontations occurred in the western Pacific, where Japan's Self-Defense Forces observed the simultaneous operation of China's two aircraft carriers, the Shandong and the Liaoning, for the first time in the region. The maneuvers took place near southern Japanese islands and off the coast of Iwo Jima, approximately 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) south of Tokyo.

Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani confirmed that the Liaoning had entered Japan’s exclusive economic zone near Minamitorishima, the easternmost point of the Japanese archipelago, though he noted there was no breach of territorial waters.

The dual deployment of China’s aircraft carriers underscores Beijing’s growing naval capabilities and power projection in the Pacific. Chinese warships and aircraft are increasingly venturing beyond the contested East China Sea and into broader Pacific waters, including areas closer to Guam, a key U.S. military hub.

The incidents further highlight the rising risks of military miscalculation in a region marked by growing strategic rivalry and overlapping claims.