China seems to be reviving tactics reminiscent of the Cold War, this time with Japan in its sights. Japan, a key ally of the United States in the West Pacific, has been enhancing its military capabilities. Recently, Chinese aircraft targeted two Japanese F-15 jets with fire-control radar, a move typically considered aggressive as it can precede a missile launch.

This maneuver is fraught with peril.

A word of advice to the Xinhua News Agency: the conclusion of World War II is nearly eight decades past. China might benefit from reassessing assumptions that have remained unchanged since 1945.

Adding to the dynamic, Japan’s assertive new Prime Minister is emerging as the country’s answer to the Iron Lady.

In diplomatic language, describing an incident as “extremely regrettable” often translates to “consider yourselves fortunate we didn’t retaliate.”

Wang accused Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of “trying to exploit the Taiwan question — the very territory Japan colonized for half a century, committing countless crimes against the Chinese people — to provoke trouble and threaten China militarily. This is completely unacceptable,” Wang said, according to China’s official Xinhua News Agency. He added that Japan, as a World War II “defeated nation,” should act with greater caution.

Hint to the Xinhua News Agency: World War II ended 80 years ago. China would do well to set aside any assumptions that haven’t been updated since 1945. 

What’s more, Japan’s tough new Prime Minister is proving herself to be the Land of the Rising Sun’s version of the Iron Lady.

“These radar illuminations are a dangerous act that goes beyond what is necessary for the safe flight of aircraft,” Takaichi told reporters, adding that Japan had lodged a protest with China and calling the incident “extremely regrettable,” Reuters reported.

Japan’s government later said the Self-Defense Force fighters “were maintaining a safe distance during their mission” and denied China’s accusation that its jets obstructed Chinese operations, according to comments by Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, according to The Associated Press.

“Extremely regrettable” is often Cold War-speak for “you’re lucky we didn’t shoot you out of the sky.”