Japan and the US conduct joint air exercises in response to recent China-Russia bomber patrols and a radar-lock incident, affirming their alliance
TOKYO: Japan and the United States have conducted a joint air exercise in a show of force following recent Chinese-Russian military patrols and a diplomatic dispute.
The Japanese joint chiefs of staff said Wednesday’s exercise was held amid an increasingly severe security environment.
It confirmed the strong resolve of both nations not to allow any unilateral change of the status quo by force.
The tactical exercises over the Sea of Japan involved two US B-52 bombers, three Japanese F-35s and three Japanese F-15 fighter jets.
This follows Japan’s report that two Russian Tu-95 bombers flew to rendezvous with two Chinese H-6 bombers earlier this week.
The aircraft then conducted a joint flight around Japan, prompting Tokyo to scramble fighter jets in response.
The exercise also comes after the United States criticised Beijing for a radar-lock incident last Saturday.
Japan said J-15 jets from China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier twice locked radar onto Japanese aircraft near Okinawa.
A US State Department spokesperson said China’s actions are not conducive to regional peace and stability.
“The U.S.-Japan Alliance is stronger and more united than ever,” the spokesperson told AFP.
Japan also summoned China’s ambassador over the incident, with both countries offering differing accounts.
China’s foreign ministry spokesman accused Japan of intruding into a Chinese training area without authorisation.
Tensions were already high after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Japan would intervene militarily if China attacked Taiwan.
Beijing claims the self-ruled island as its own territory and has not ruled out using force.
NATO chief Mark Rutte described the radar incident and joint patrols as regrettable, Japan’s defence minister said.
Rutte affirmed that security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions is completely inseparable.
South Korea also reported that Russian and Chinese warplanes entered its air defence zone this week.
Seoul deployed its own fighter jets in response to the incursion.
Both Beijing and Moscow confirmed the joint patrols were part of annual cooperation plans between their militaries. – AFP
