According to a report by NHK on the 12th, Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C anti-submarine aircraft was closely monitored by a Chinese military aircraft during its recent surveillance of the Chinese aircraft carrier 'Shandong'.

The report indicated that the P-3C was intentionally tailed and approached dangerously by a J-15 fighter jet launched from the Shandong. The Japanese Foreign Ministry has expressed serious concerns through diplomatic channels and requested that China exercise restraint to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. The Defense Ministry has been continuously deploying vessels to monitor the activities of the Shandong in the southeastern waters of Japan, and the P-3C experienced close encounters on two occasions — once on the morning of the 7th when it was tailed for approximately 40 minutes, coming within just 45 meters. On the afternoon of the 8th, the same aircraft was tracked again for about 80 minutes and even crossed the P-3C's flight path, deliberately increasing the risk of collision.

While no damage was inflicted on the Japanese aircraft or personnel, the provocative actions raised significant concerns in Japan. This incident marks a return of dangerous flying behavior by the Chinese military against Japanese Self-Defense Force aircraft since 2014. The Defense Ministry detailed the evidence collected and analyzed pilot testimonies before releasing relevant information days after the incidents.

Additionally, the actions on the 8th seem to have involved the use of jet engine exhaust to interfere with the P-3C's flight, highlighting an intent to intimidate. With China deploying two aircraft carriers simultaneously in the Western Pacific for the first time, and the Shandong having sailed about 550 kilometers southeast of Miyako Island on the 9th, Japan has intensified monitoring and is taking concrete countermeasures. The Defense Ministry is also planning to deploy surveillance radar on Minami-Torishima to monitor Chinese military aircraft activities.