Japan claims evidence in ship weapons-lock

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BEIJING, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Japan's defense minister said Saturday Japan may release proof Chinese frigates locked their weapons-guiding radar on a Japanese destroyer and helicopter.

"The government is considering the extent of what can be revealed," Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said on a Yomiuri Telecasting Corp. program, noting the government has "hard" evidence of China's provocative acts in the form of footage, photographs and radio wave data.

Onodera's remarks came after China denied Japan's allegations that a Chinese warship locked its weapons on a Japanese destroyer and helicopter in two separate incidents in the waters near the Senkaku Islands, the Japan Times reported.

"Japan has repeatedly spread false accusations that distorted facts and defamed the Chinese military's normal combat readiness training," the Chinese Defense Ministry said last week. "This time, without verifying related facts with the Chinese side, Japan unilaterally released untrue information to the media and senior Japanese government officials made irresponsible remarks."

Onodera said Tuesday a Chinese frigate did, in fact, direct its fire-control radar at the Japanese naval vessel and aircraft about 10 a.m. Jan. 30.