Tokyo: Japan scrambled fighter jets Tuesday to monitor a series of joint military operations involving Russian and Chinese air forces near Japanese airspace, highlighting escalating regional tensions.
According to Japan’s Defense Ministry, two Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable strategic bombers flew from the Sea of Japan toward the East China Sea to rendezvous with two Chinese H-6 bombers, conducting a “long-distance joint flight” across the Pacific.
The patrol included four Chinese J-16 fighter jets that accompanied the bombers on a round-trip flight between Japan’s Okinawa and Miyako islands, a route passing through the Miyako Strait, an international waterway.
Simultaneously, Japan detected Russian military activity in the Sea of Japan, including an A-50 early-warning aircraft and two Su-30 fighters, indicating a broad display of air power in the region.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi condemned the joint operations, stating on social media that the actions were “clearly intended as a show of force against our nation,” raising concerns over national security. He emphasized that Japan’s fighter jets “strictly implemented air defense identification measures” in response to the flights.
Russian news agencies reported that the joint Russian-Chinese patrol lasted approximately eight hours. South Korea also reported that seven Russian and two Chinese aircraft entered its air defense zone on Tuesday.
Tensions have been rising in the region, with Japan recently accusing Chinese carrier-based fighters of targeting Japanese military aircraft with radar a claim Beijing has denied. These developments follow Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks suggesting Tokyo could respond to any Chinese military actions threatening Japan’s security, particularly concerning Taiwan.
China and Russia have increased their military cooperation in recent years, conducting joint exercises such as anti-missile drills on Russian territory and naval live-fire exercises in the South China Sea, signaling a strengthening alliance amidst regional uncertainties.