Japan scrambles jets as Russian, Chinese bombers patrol nearby
What's the story
Japan's Defense Ministry has reported that it scrambled jets to monitor joint patrols by Russian and Chinese air forces. The operation involved two Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable strategic bombers and two Chinese H-6 bombers, which conducted a "long-distance joint flight" in the Pacific. Four Chinese J-16 fighter jets also participated in the operation, flying a round trip between Japan's Okinawa and Miyako islands.
Security concerns
Japan's defense minister expresses concern over joint operation
The Miyako Strait, where the flight took place, is international waters. Simultaneously, Japan detected Russian air force activity in the Sea of Japan with an A-50 early-warning aircraft and two Su-30 fighters. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on social media that these operations were "clearly intended as a show of force against our nation." He added that this is a serious concern for national security.
Regional tension
South Korea also reports Russian and Chinese planes
Russian news agencies reported that the joint flight near Japan lasted eight hours. Meanwhile, South Korea's military said seven Russian planes and two Chinese planes entered its air defense zone on Tuesday. This comes after Japan accused China of targeting radar at Japanese military aircraft with carrier-launched fighter jets, a claim Beijing disputed.
Rising tensions
Japan's PM comments on China's military actions
The rising military actions by Beijing come after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said last month that Tokyo could respond to any Chinese military action against Taiwan, threatening Japan's security. China and Russia have been enhancing their military cooperation in recent years, including anti-missile training on Russian territory and live-fire naval exercises in the South China Sea.