Editorial

17:14 JST, June 16, 2025

One misstep could have led to a grave situation. The Chinese military’s actions are utterly beyond the pale, and the Japanese government should voice its strong protest.

A fighter jet that took off from the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong sailing off the southern coast of Okinawa Prefecture in the Pacific Ocean tailed a Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C patrol plane twice, approaching the Japanese plane and getting as close as about 45 meters on both occasions.

The Chinese aircraft followed the Japanese plane for about 40 minutes on June 7 and about 80 minutes on the following day. It also carried out a dangerous maneuver, flying across the MSDF plane’s path about 900 meters ahead of it on June 8.

The MSDF plane was engaged in surveillance operations of the Chinese aircraft........

© The Japan News