Tensions in East Asia just hit a new high. Japan is sending a strong signal as tensions with China escalate over Taiwan. Tokyo says it would act first if Taiwan came under attack . . . China is now enraged.
After a group of Chinese and Russian warplanes buzzed near Japan's southern islands, Japan scrambled its jets - but what happened next sparked international concern.
Tokyo says Chinese fighter jets locked radar on Japanese planes during the incident, a provocative move seen as a step short of launching weapons.
Japan's defense chief called it the most serious encounter in years.
Now, the U.S. is weighing in, publicly backing Japan and calling China's behavior “not conducive to regional peace and stability.”
A State Department spokesperson reaffirmed the “unwavering” strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance and said Washington remains in close contact with Tokyo.
Beijing, meanwhile, claims it was conducting legal and restrained drills - and accused Japan of provocation.
The radar incident came just days after Chinese and Russian bombers flew a coordinated route near Okinawa and the Miyako Strait, echoing movements by China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier.
With Taiwan just 100 km from Japanese territory, and military drills escalating, Tokyo is watching closely and Washington is now watching with them.
This all comes just three days after Japan began deploying medium-range missiles to Yonaguni Island, just 110 kilometers (68 miles) from Taiwan, as part of a major defense buildup aimed at deterring Beijing.
Japan has also begun at-sea testing of a new 100-kilowatt laser weapon system aboard a military test ship to counter increasing Chinese pressure.
The deployment of missiles to Yonaguni Island has been planned since at least 2023 and is unrelated to the commotion caused by Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks.
In the past, China publicly said that if Japan gets involved with any Taiwan military situation, China would launch nuclear weapons at Japan until there was no Japan left anymore.
