A Xi’an JH-7 fighter-bomberflies close to a Japan Air Self-Defense Force YS-11EB intelligence-gathering aircraft over the East China Sea on July 9, 2025. (Japan Ministry of Defense)

Chinese fighter jets made two close passes at Japanese intelligence aircraft again recently following similar incidents last month.

A Xi’an JH-7 fighter-bomber tailed a Japan Air Self-Defense Force YS-11EB intelligence-gathering aircraft for about 15 minutes Wednesday morning and about 10 minutes Thursday morning, according to a news release Thursday from Japan’s Ministry of Defense.

The Chinese jet flew within 100 feet of the Japanese aircraft on Wednesday, and within 200 feet on Thursday, according to the release.

The Japanese aircraft were making surveillance flights over international waters of the East China Sea, according to the release. A photo released by the ministry shows the Chinese jet flying to the right of the YS-11EB.

No damage to the Japanese aircraft or injuries to personnel were reported.

“Such unusual close approaches by Chinese military aircraft could lead to accidental collisions, and the ministry expressed serious concern and strongly urged that no similar actions will recur,” the release said.

The ministry acknowledged inquiries from Stars and Stripes on Friday but did not immediately provide responses.

Takehiro Funakoshi, Japan’s vice minister of foreign affairs, expressed “serious concerns” to Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao on Thursday, according to a news release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that day. Funakoshi discussed the incidents and urged Beijing to ensure that similar actions do not recur, according to the ministry.

The recent incidents follow similar close encounters between Chinese and Japanese aircraft in June.

A Shenyang J-15 carrier-based fighter tailed a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C patrol plane for 40 minutes June 7 and 80 minutes June 8, coming within 150 feet of the Japanese aircraft during both incidents, according to the defense ministry.

Also on June 8, a J-15 crossed within 3,000 feet in front of the Japanese aircraft. No injuries or damage occurred, the ministry said.

Both encounters involved a J-15 from the aircraft carrier Shandong, which at the time was operating alongside China’s other aircraft carrier, Liaoning. It marked the first time China’s two carriers were seen operating simultaneously in the Pacific, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said at the time.