Japan deployed fighter jets on Tuesday to monitor joint Russian and Chinese air patrols operating around its territory, the Defence Ministry announced, as tensions continue to rise between Tokyo and Beijing.
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According to the ministry, two Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable bombers flew from the Sea of Japan toward the East China Sea, where they rendezvoused with two Chinese H-6 bombers. The aircraft then conducted a “long-distance joint flight” over the Pacific.
Four Chinese J-16 fighter jets later joined the formation, accompanying the bombers on a round-trip flight between Okinawa and Miyako islands. The patrol passed through the Miyako Strait, an area classified as international waters.
Simultaneously, Japan detected additional Russian activity in the Sea of Japan, involving an A-50 early-warning aircraft and two Su-30 fighter jets.
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi condemned the joint maneuvers on Wednesday, saying the operations were “clearly intended as a show of force against our nation,” and posed a serious threat to Japan’s national security. He added that Japanese fighter jets “strictly implemented air defense identification measures” in response.
Russian news agencies reported that the joint patrol lasted eight hours, citing Moscow’s Defence Ministry. South Korea also confirmed that seven Russian and two Chinese aircraft had entered its air defense identification zone on Tuesday.
The incident follows Japan’s accusation on Sunday that Chinese carrier-based fighter jets aimed radar at Japanese military aircraft, a claim Beijing disputes.
China’s increased military activity near Japan comes after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said last month that Tokyo could respond if Chinese actions against Taiwan also threatened Japan’s security.
China and Russia have steadily expanded their military cooperation in recent years, conducting joint anti-missile drills on Russian soil and live-fire naval exercises in the South China Sea.
