Japan scrambles fighter jets after joint Russian–Chinese bomber flight
Illustrative photo: Russian Tu-95 aircraft (Getty Images)
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces scrambled fighter jets to monitor Russian and Chinese military aircraft conducting a joint patrol in the region, according to Reuters.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense reported that two Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, took off from the Sea of Japan area and flew toward the East China Sea. There, they joined two Chinese H-6 bombers for a "joint long-duration flight" over the Pacific.
Later, four Chinese J-16 fighters joined the formation, passing between Japan’s Okinawa and Miyako islands. The Miyako Strait is considered international airspace.
At the same time, Japan detected additional Russian Air Force activity in the Sea of Japan area, including an A-50 airborne early-warning aircraft and two Su-30 fighters.
Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi wrote on X that the Russia–China joint flights represent a show of force aimed at Japan and pose a serious concern for national security.
Tensions between Japan and China
On 9 December, China accused Japan of "military threats", according to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s statement to German counterpart Johann Wadephul.
This followed Japan’s report that Chinese fighter jets had allegedly locked their radar on Japan Self-Defense Forces aircraft. Tokyo described the incident as dangerous and warned that such actions pose a real threat to flight safety.
China, in turn, accused Japan of provocations and interfering with planned carrier-based aviation drills east of the Miyako Strait.
Tensions escalated further after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan could intervene if a Chinese operation against Taiwan threatened Japan’s security.
China continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory and labels its government as "separatist."
