Japan on Sunday contested China's claim that Tokyo fired an 'interference bomb' while China was conducting air force military exercises over the Mikayo Strait in Okinawa Prefecture, the Japan Times reported.

Japan disputed China's accusation, saying it neither fired an interference bomb nor endangered Beijing's jets or crews, Tokyo's Defense Military said, adding that the Air Self-Defense Force Fighter jets adhered to the "strict procedures based on international law and the law governing the Self-Defense Forces."

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Japan said that China's accusation "clearly differs from the facts" and such is "extremely regrettable, as it is something that damages relations between Japan and China."

The statement comes after the Chinese Defense Ministry on Saturday slammed Japan for endangering its military air mission on Saturday after two F-15 fighter jets from Japan's Air Self-Defense Force allegedly approached its aircrafts and launched jamming shells, Japan Today noted.

Yang Yujun, the ministry's spokesperson, asserted that the Mikayo Strait is an international waterway and that China's military drill was part of its air force's annual plans. He further insisted that they were not headed to any particular country.

Yang said that Japan's move was not only dangerous but also unprofessional, arguing that Japan meddled with China's freedom of navigation and flight that is officially recognized under international law. He also warned that such actions could trigger misunderstanding and mistaken judgment from both countries, which may easily end up on friction and collision.

In recent months, China has been carrying out several military exercises in the sensitive region of Western Pacific. It recently conducted drills on September and the last week of November. China, however, defended that none of these exercises are aimed to any third country and are only part of its annual training program.

TagsChina-Japan relations, Self-defense forces, okinawa