Japan PM hits out at China 'dangerous' radar act

Japan's prime minister has called the decision by a Chinese frigate to put a radar lock on a Japanese navy ship a "dangerous act".

Shinzo Abe told parliament the move could have led to an "unpredictable situation" and called for Chinese "self-restraint".

The incident happened near disputed East China Sea islands last week.

The US has voiced concern over the incident, which comes with ties between Beijing and Tokyo severely strained.

Mr Abe called on China to avoid an "unnecessary escalation" in the territorial row, which centres on a chain of islands that both claim.

On Tuesday, Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said a Chinese navy frigate had locked its weapon-targeting radar on a Japanese navy ship on 30 January, prompting Tokyo to protest to Beijing.

He said a Japanese military helicopter was also targeted with a similar type of radar by another Chinese frigate on 19 January.