Japan has deployed fighter jets to monitor a rare display of combined military operations by Russia and China near its southern islands. This move has intensified concerns in Tokyo regarding the actions of its two nuclear-armed neighbours. Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan’s Defence Minister, stated on Wednesday that the coordinated operations were “clearly intended as a show of force against our nation, which is a serious concern for our national security.”
Koizumi emphasized that Japan’s Air Self-Defence Force had “strictly implemented” procedures for identification and interception in response to the joint flight. On Tuesday, two Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers flew from the Sea of Japan towards the East China Sea, where they met with two Chinese H-6 bombers. Together, they conducted a joint flight across the western Pacific, as reported by Japan’s Defence Ministry.
Details of the Joint Patrol
During this operation, four Chinese J-16 fighter jets joined the formation as it navigated between Okinawa and Miyako Islands. This area, while situated in international waters, is closely monitored by Japanese military authorities. Concurrently, Japan reported additional Russian military activity in the Sea of Japan, including an A-50 early-warning aircraft and two Su-30 fighters.
Russian state media indicated that the patrol lasted eight hours. Furthermore, South Korea’s military noted that seven Russian and two Chinese aircraft also entered its air defence zone on the same day. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea confirmed that the aircraft entered and exited the Korean Air Defence Identification Zone (KADIZ) but did not breach South Korean territorial airspace. They stated, “Our military detected the Chinese and Russian aircraft before they entered KADIZ and deployed Air Force fighter jets to take tactical measures in preparation for any contingencies.”
Context of Rising Tensions
This latest military manoeuvre occurs amid a notable increase in Chinese military activities near Japan. Recently, Japanese authorities reported that Chinese carrier-borne fighter jets had targeted radar at Japanese military aircraft, a claim that Beijing has denied. The relationship between China and Japan has further strained following remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who asserted last month that Japan would not remain passive if Chinese military actions towards Taiwan posed a threat to Japanese security. This statement has elicited strong warnings from Beijing.
In recent years, China and Russia have expanded their military cooperation, conducting joint missile-defence training on Russian territory and live-fire naval exercises in the South China Sea. This growing strategic partnership is significantly reshaping the security landscape in the Indo-Pacific region, raising alarms in neighboring countries.
The developments highlight the ongoing complexities and rising tensions in the region, as Japan responds to perceived threats from its neighbours. As military activities continue to escalate, the international community watches closely, aware of the potential implications for regional stability.
