Strategic bombers from the United States flew alongside Japanese fighters over the Sea of Japan in a show of force following recent joint exercises conducted by China and Russia. The information was released by Japan’s Ministry of Defense.
In a statement published on Thursday (11), the Japanese government highlighted that the joint operation reaffirms the alliance between Tokyo and Washington. The mission involved two American B-52 bombers and F-35 and F-15 aircraft from the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the activity marks the first display of U.S. military presence since China began new exercises in the region last week. The move also comes after a joint flight of Chinese and Russian bombers in the East China Sea and the Western Pacific, conducted on Tuesday, an event that led Japan and South Korea to scramble fighters.
The recent Chinese exercises also involved operations with aircraft carriers, which led Tokyo to scramble its aircraft after detecting what it described as “directed radar beams” against its fighters. China rejected the accusation and stated that it was the Japanese jets that endangered its operations south of the country.
Washington criticized the episode, stating that it “does not contribute to regional peace and stability,” while reiterating that its alliance with Japan remains “unwavering.”
The Chief of the Joint Staff of Japan, General Hiroaki Uchikura, described the Sino-Russian flight as a direct message to the country. “We consider this to represent a serious concern from the perspective of Japan’s security,” he stated.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi expressed similar concerns in a phone call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, according to the Japanese government.
In Beijing, the official statement adopted a tone of normalcy. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guo Jiakun, said that the exercises with Russia are part of the annual military cooperation plan between the two countries and reinforce the joint commitment to “safeguard regional peace and stability.” He added that “the Japanese side does not need to make a storm in a teacup.”
South Korea also reported scrambling its aircraft when the Chinese and Russian bombers entered the country’s air defense identification zone, an area used for early warning that extends beyond national airspace.
Meanwhile, Taiwan reports a second consecutive day of intensified Chinese military activities around the island. Taipei’s Ministry of Defense reported detecting 27 aircraft, including H-6K bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons, on a “joint combat readiness” mission, accompanied by military ships. On Wednesday night, J-16 fighters and H-6 bombers conducted new long-range training in the Western Pacific after crossing south of Taiwan.
Regional tensions have increased since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi provoked a reaction from Beijing with statements on how Tokyo could respond to a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan. China claims the democratically governed island and does not rule out the use of force to take it, noting that the territory is just over 100 km from the Japanese archipelago and surrounded by vital maritime routes for Japan.
Source: brasil247.com