The revelation that the Chinese navy targeted a Japanese warship with its weapons radar last month has deepened the two countries’ maritime conflict and tested Japan’s new government, whose goal of tempering the dispute is constrained by an election promise to be tougher on China.
In his first comments on the alleged incident, Shinzo Abe, the prime minister whose centre-right party swept to power in December, chastised Beijing yesterday for what he called a “dangerous” act of brinkmanship.
“It was a unilateral, provocative act and extremely regrettable,’’ Mr Abe said in parliament. “I urge strong restraint by China so the situation will not unnecessarily escalate.”