Japan and the United States held joint air exercises this week as a show of resolve after coordinated Russian and Chinese bomber patrols near Japan. Tokyo scrambled F-15s in response to the rendezvous and says J-15s from China's Liaoning carrier locked radar on Japanese jets. Washington publicly criticised Beijing, while China and Russia called their operations routine. Regional allies including South Korea and NATO expressed concern over heightened tensions.
US and Japan Stage Joint Air Drills After China–Russia Patrols Near Japan
This handout photo taken on December 10 from Japan's Ministry of Defense shows a US Air Force B-52 strategic bomber (bottom) and two Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter jets conducting a joint exercise over the Sea of Japan (Handout)(Handout/Japan's Ministry of Defense/AFP)
Japan announced on Thursday that it conducted a joint air exercise with the United States in a show of resolve, days after coordinated Chinese-Russian patrols in the region and amid escalating diplomatic tensions with Beijing.
What Happened
The Japanese Joint Chiefs of Staff said Wednesday's operation with the US Air Force took place in "an increasingly severe security environment surrounding our country." Tokyo reported that two Russian Tu-95 bombers flew from the Sea of Japan to rendezvous with two Chinese H-6 bombers in the East China Sea, and that the formation flew a circuit around Japan. Japan scrambled fighter jets in response.
Details Of The Exercise
In a separate statement, Japan's chiefs of staff described the "tactical exercises" over the Sea of Japan as involving two US B-52 bombers, three Japanese F-35 fighters and three Japanese F-15s. The announcement said the drills reaffirmed "the strong resolve of Japan and the United States not to allow any unilateral change of the status quo by force, as well as the readiness of the Self-Defense Forces and the US military."
Radar Incident And Reactions
Washington publicly criticised Beijing after Japan said J-15 fighters from China's carrier Liaoning twice locked radar on Japanese aircraft in international waters near Okinawa. Tokyo scrambled jets and later summoned China's ambassador; the two capitals provided differing accounts. A US State Department spokesperson told AFP: "China's actions are not conducive to regional peace and stability. The U.S.-Japan Alliance is stronger and more united than ever."
China's Response: Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accused Japan of intruding into a Chinese training area without authorization and of "conduct[ing] close-range reconnaissance and harassment," saying Tokyo was hyping up the situation.
Broader Diplomatic Context
Relations have been strained since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested last month that Japan could intervene militarily in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan — comments that angered Beijing. Tokyo also denied a Wall Street Journal report that US President Donald Trump advised Takaichi not to provoke China over Taiwan.
Regional stakeholders responded with concern: South Korea reported that Russian and Chinese warplanes entered its air-defence identification zone and deployed fighters, while NATO's leader Mark Rutte called the radar incident and the joint patrols "regrettable." Beijing described the drills with Russia as part of "annual cooperation plans," and Moscow called the operation routine, saying it lasted about eight hours.
Why It Matters
The incidents underscore rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific and the importance of alliance coordination. Military encounters and contrasting official narratives increase the risk of miscalculation, making clear communication and diplomatic channels between the parties essential.
