Japan's top government spokesperson has countered China's claim that activating radar during flight training is a normal measure to ensure flight safety.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru referred on Tuesday to Beijing's claim made a day earlier by a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
Japan's Defense Ministry says a Chinese fighter jet intermittently aimed its radar at Japanese Air Self-Defense Force aircraft on Saturday over international waters near Okinawa Prefecture.
Beijing argues that the Japanese aircraft had entered a Chinese military training area without permission and obstructed its activities. It says using search radar during flight training is "commonly done."
Kihara countered that fighter jets are equipped with radar for both search and fire control, but the side that is being tracked cannot clearly distinguish between the two purposes.
Kihara said that in general, radar is not used intermittently as was the case on Saturday, even for search activity, to avoid unexpected developments.
Kihara said Japan believes the Chinese side engaged in a dangerous act that goes beyond the scope of what is necessary for flight safety.

Quiz 1:
What did China claim about activating radar during flight training?
A. It's not done at all.
B. It's done to ensure flight safety but can be confusing.
C. It's only used for fire control, not search activity.
D. It's a normal measure and never causes any issues.

Quiz 2:
According to the article, what did the Japanese Defense Ministry claim happened on Saturday?
A. Chinese fighter jets did not aim their radar at Japanese aircraft.
B. Chinese fighter jets aimed their radar intermittently at Japanese aircraft over international waters near Okinawa Prefecture.
C. Japanese aircraft entered a Chinese military training area with permission.
D. Japanese aircraft obstructed the activities of Chinese fighters.

Quiz 3:
How did Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara describe the actions of the Chinese side?
A. Necessary for flight safety but potentially confusing.
B. Within the scope of what is necessary for flight safety.
C. Dangerous and going beyond what is necessary for flight safety.
D. Appropriate and not causing any issues.

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: B
Quiz 2: B
Quiz 3: C