Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Dec. 10 dismissed China’s claims of interference during close encounter incidents over the weekend.
His remarks followed a series of exchanges between Tokyo and Beijing after Japan said two Chinese J-15 fighter jets targeted Japanese F-15s with radar during incidents on Dec. 6.
The incidents, according to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, happened south of Okinawa, located nearly 400 miles south of mainland Japan in the East China Sea.
Speaking after a review of the encounter, Koizumi said Japan’s assessment contradicted Beijing’s accusations.
“JASDF fighters maintained a safe (beyond-visual-range) distance from both the Chinese fighters and the aircraft carrier,” he said, adding that China’s claim of interference by Japanese aircraft was unfounded….
Japan Did Not Interfere With Chinese Jets During Incidents, Defense Minister Says
