Minister of Defence Onodera Itsunori takes questions about the Chinese radar lock.
Tensions concerning the long-standing feud over the Senkaku Islands Dispute escalated earlier this month when Japan claimed to receive evidence that a Chinese navy vessel used a weapons-guiding radar to lock on to a Japanese Coast Guard ship. Chinese officials refuted the statement, claiming the radars used were for observation use and not capable of firing. Japan insisted that they had evidence to the contrary.
Japanese government officials, namely Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, have stated that they may disclose the analytical data they claim is concrete proof that a weapons-guiding lock on occurred. If they were to provide concrete proof, it would likely be used on an international level to show that China was withholding the truth and initializing aggressions near the islands. However, it would also mean divulging the Japanese Self Defense Force’s observational and analytical capabilities.
The main topic among netizens was the benefit of such a decision. They were mostly in support of releasing the information as it would still ‘prove a point’ or ‘help make an appeal to other countries’. Those of the opinion that the government should not release the information lamented that, despite showing proof, China would still deny it, therefore resulting in a divulgence of information for nothing.
From Mainichi:
Radar Lock-On: Japanese Government May Release Proof
Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera declared on February 9 that he is considering making the photographic and video evidence about the incident concerning Chinese naval vessels activating weapons-guiding radars on Japanese maritime self-defence units public. China refuted this assumption by claiming they were ordinary surveillance radars. However, as the data analysis of the radar frequencies are classified to the Ministry of Defense, and they are of the impression that they must make public something at this point, they’re cautiously considering what to reveal.
‘Our data isn’t coming from the ocean, it’s coming from Yokosuka’s [highly technological] specialists’ analysis. We are 100% confident in it’s accuracy,’ stated Onodera to the press on Febuary 9.
While the incident occurred on January 30, the official announcement of proof came from the Ministry of Defense on Febuary 5. Three days later, Prime Minister Abe Shinzo appeared on Fuji Television, demanding an apology from China. ‘We can’t continue to let them [China] do all the talking,’ an official from the Abe cabinet declared.
Observation radars scan the surrounding radius 360 degrees for the whereabouts of other parties, but weapons-guided radars pursue targets in a strait line for the purpose of firing upon them. ‘[Chinese vessels] were using the radars to obtain visuals’, Onodera stated on a Yomiuri Television show Febuary 9, emphasizing the confirmation that the radars used were weapons-guided.
After a rebuttal from China, both the Foreign and Defense Ministries held a conference concerning the disclosure of proof. The Defense Ministry is quite apprehensive in releasing the data because, should they make public the analysis of the radar signal received by the escort vessel, they would be divulging the analytical capabilities of the Self Defense Force. ‘There is data we can and cannot release,’ added Onodera. There is still anxiety remaining that, even after disclosing the evidence to the public, China will refuse to admit they are at fault.
The prolonging of deteriorated Sino-Japanese relations is inevitable if they adhere to this exchange. However, since Japan announced the radar information on Febuary 5, Chinese activity has calmed down in the areas around Okinawa and Senkaku, it can be perceived that the announcement has had some effect. Because of this, the government has established an internal Sino-Japanese defense affairs hotline where people should point out plans for preventative measures.
From 2ch.net:
ラグドール(大阪府):
Yeah, give it to ’em
カラカル(チベット自治区)：
What happened to Sengoku’s ‘willow diplomacy’? [Note: Sengoku Yoshito, as part of Naoto Kan‘s cabinet, defended the government’s foreign diplomacy regarding the Senkaku Islands Dispute as being like a willow tree: flexible, but durable.]
キジ白(東京都)：[responding to above]
That was a nightmare for Japan
カラカル(愛知県)：
‘…considering making the photographic and video evidence about the incident concerning Chinese naval vessels activating weapons-guiding radars on Japanese maritime self-defence units public’
China is dead meat.
アメリカンカール(宮城県)：
Even if they released the proof, it won’t change anything
ピクシーボブ(長崎県)：[responding to above]
It will. At worst, our ally America will get a concrete basis to criticize China’s actions and we can make an appeal to other countries that hate China that we are not going to stay quiet.
And at best, we can say whatever stupid shit we want to them and then say with attitude: ‘It’s time for your rebuttal’.
茶トラ(茸)：
It won’t change a thing if we thrust evidence into the faces of the skeptics who say it’s fake? The hell are you talking about?
キジ白(東京都)：
Don’t you get the impression that Chinese officials will just claim that there is no way to analyze the radar data and continue insisting that it was just an observation radar?
ヨーロッパオオヤマネコ(茸)：
[They’re going to release it] in order to prevent this from escalating any further.
If done correctly, it could be crucial toward serving as a reminder to the ever impudent China.
Also, it would serve as an appeal on the international stage.
キジ白(東京都)：
I literally LOLed.
I can imagine some Chinese big-wig saying ‘Up until now it’s always been the same thing with you, you’re always kicking up a fuss even though we haven’t said anything to you’ w
It really would be terrible if a country does bad things to us and we don’t properly make it known on the international stage.
That’s Tokutei Asia for you.
ノルウェージャンフォレストキャット (dion軍)：
Jeez jeez jeez
Someone incapacitate this rogue nation
アビシニアン(dion軍)：
Some Chinese person on Asahi Television said that China will absolutely not apologize
Even apologizing to Japan is such a repulsive idea, huh?
ぬこ(チベット自治区)：
We’ve come a long way since sengoku38. [Note: Sengoku Yoshito, as part of Naoto Kan‘s cabinet, defended the government’s foreign diplomacy regarding the Senkaku Islands Dispute as being like a willow tree: flexible, but durable.]
しぃ(関東・甲信越)：
The Democratic Party is such shit that even the LDP‘s average policies seem divine.
トンキニーズ(東日本)：
I’m pretty sure it’ll end with them just ‘considering it’
キジ白(大阪府)：
We shouldn’t disclose the proof. If we show our trump card, all they are going to do is chuckle to themselves.
Either way they’re going to insist that they did nothing and it will just end with them claiming the analytical information was just fabrication.
ヨーロッパオオヤマネコ(茸)：[responding to above]
Even if they just kick it around, saying ‘Should we disclose it? Should we?’, there’s still a point to it
ソマリ(東京都)：
When it comes to light that the Chinese have committed wrongdoing, they most definitely scoff at the other party and put the blame on them.
It’s because they believe they are not the absolute evil.
Apologizing would be like admitting defeat.
黒(dion軍)：
There is a 100% chance that China will shout ‘That evidence is fabricated!’
