Key Takeaways:
– Japanese military fired flares to warn a Russian reconnaissance plane in Japanese airspace.
– The incident comes after Chinese and Russian warships were spotted near Japan’s northern coasts.
– Officials speculate that the airspace violation might be linked to a recent China-Russia joint military exercise.
– The Japanese Defense Ministry protests the violation and promises heightened vigilance.
– Growing military cooperation between China and Russia has raised alarming concerns in Tokyo.
Unwelcome Visitors Overhead
On Monday, Japanese warplanes employed flares to caution a Russian Il-38 reconnaissance aircraft that had trespassed into the north of Japan’s airspace. The Russian craft invaded the airspace above Rebun Island, off Hokkaido coast, in three separate instances during its five-hour flight, according to Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara.
Greater Coordination Amongst Chinese and Russian Forces
This incident followed the recent sighting of a combined fleet of Chinese and Russian warships navigating around Japan’s northern coastlines. Kihara hinted at the possibility of the airspace violation being associated with a joint military exercise Russia and China had announced earlier in the month.
Japan’s Strong Stance Against Airspace Violation
Kihara succinctly expressed Japan’s frigid reception of the violation. He stated that Japan lodged a firm protest with Russia via diplomatic channels, urging for preventive measures against such violations. Kihara assured that Japan would maintain vigilant surveillance of their military activities.
Use of Flares: A Legitimate Response
The defense minister also confirmed the first-time use of flares by F-15 and F-35 fighter jets to warn off the intrusive Russian aircraft. Kihara justified the use of flares as a legitimate response to airspace violation and stated Japan would employ such means without hesitation if needed in the future.
Increasing Alarm over Russo-Chinese Cooperation
Tokyo has been considerably apprehensive about the escalating military collaboration between China and Russia. The increasing assertiveness of China near Japanese waters and airspace has provoked Tokyo to markedly strengthen the defenses in southwestern Japan and its remote islands, which are deemed strategic to Japan’s regional defense.
Previous Incidents and Escalations
Earlier in September, Russian military planes flew around southern Japanese airspace, and in late August, a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance aircraft momentarily violated the southern Japanese airspace. The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning, escorted by two destroyers, sailed between Japan’s Yonaguni and Iriomote islands, unsettlingly close to Japan’s waters. This prompted Japan to scramble jets nearly 669 times from April 2023 to March 2024, 70% of which was in response to Chinese military aircraft.
Ongoing Russia-Japan Territorial Dispute
Amidst these standoffs, Russia and Japan are engaged in an ongoing territorial dispute over a group of Russian-held islands that the ex-Soviet Union seized from Japan in World War II’s conclusion. This dispute has handicapped the nations in signing a peace treaty formally ending their war relations.
Rising Military Tensions Near Alaska
In recent weeks, Russian and Chinese military activities in the vicinity of Alaska have amplified. The U.S. military in response has deployed around 130 soldiers and mobile rocket launchers on a remote Alaskan island to address Russian military planes and vessels’ increased occurrences. Moreover, joint Russia-China military drills brought eight Russian military planes, four navy vessels, and two submarines close to Alaska.
In conclusion, the recent increase in military activities, combined with Russia and China’s growing military alliance’s implications, sends a poignant global message. As nations scramble to respond, defense strategies, bilateral agreements, and negotiations will undeniably take center stage in the upcoming months.