Japan has taken proactive measures by deploying fighter jets to monitor air activity from Russian and Chinese forces conducting joint patrols near its borders, as reported by the Japanese defense ministry on Tuesday. This development comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Japan and China.
The patrol involved two Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable strategic bombers, which flew from the Sea of Japan towards the East China Sea to meet with two Chinese H-6 bombers. This operation was described as a “long-distance joint flight” in the Pacific. Additionally, four Chinese J-16 fighter jets participated in the mission, which included a round-trip flight between Japan’s Okinawa and Miyako islands. Notably, the Miyako Strait, through which the planes operated, is recognized as international waters.
The Japanese defense ministry also reported simultaneous activity from the Russian air force in the Sea of Japan, which included one A-50 early-warning aircraft and two Su-30 fighter jets. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi expressed serious concerns about these joint operations, stating in a post on X that they were “clearly intended as a show of force against our nation, which is a serious concern for our national security.” He emphasized that Japanese fighter jets adhered to strict air defense identification measures during this period.
According to Russian news agencies, the joint flight operation lasted eight hours, as reported by Moscow’s defense ministry. Additionally, South Korea’s military confirmed that seven Russian planes and two Chinese planes had entered its air defense identification zone on the same day.
Tensions have been further exacerbated by recent incidents, including a report from Japan that Chinese carrier-launched fighter jets targeted Japanese military aircraft with radar, a claim that China has disputed. This surge in military activities near Japan appears correlated to statements made last month by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, suggesting that Tokyo would respond to any actions by China that threaten its security, particularly in the context of potential conflicts over Taiwan.
In recent years, China and Russia have significantly escalated their military cooperation, engaging in various joint operational exercises, such as anti-missile training in Russia and live-fire naval drills in the South China Sea. This growing alliance underscores the increasing complexity of security dynamics in the region, highlighting Japan’s ongoing commitment to national defense amidst these developments.
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