Japan Protests After Chinese Jet Closes to 30 Meters of ASDF Plane

Japan’s Ministry of Defense said an Air Self-Defense Force intelligence-gathering aircraft was approached by a Chinese fighter-bomber to within about 30 meters over the East China Sea on 9 and 10 July. No injuries or damage were reported, but officials warned that such close maneuvers heighten the risk of accidental collision. Vice Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi summoned Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao on 10 July to lodge a formal protest, stating that the actions were "unusual close approaches" and expressing "serious concern." Tokyo demanded measures to prevent a recurrence. The ministry noted that Chinese warplanes made similarly close passes on 7 and 8 June over the Pacific, marking the second consecutive month of such incidents. Japan says the pattern underscores the need for stricter safety protocols between the two militaries.