Japan issued a strong protest Monday over claims that its fighter jets engaged in "dangerous and unprofessional" behavior when they were scrambled over the weekend in response to Chinese aircraft flying between Miyako Island and Okinawa's main island.
"I have received a report that the Japanese planes did not conduct any close-range interference against the Chinese military planes ... or threaten the safety of the Chinese military planes or their personnel," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.
Suga also denied that the Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets launched "jamming shells." Such decoy flares are usually used by pilots to fool incoming missiles.