Japan took swift action on Friday, scrambling fighter jets after Russian aircraft circled the archipelago for the first time in five years. The incident, which occurred from Thursday morning to afternoon, involved Russian Tu-142 aircraft flying from the sea between Japan and South Korea towards the southern Okinawa region. They then proceeded north over the Pacific Ocean, concluding their flight off the northern island of Hokkaido.
While the planes did not enter Japanese airspace, they flew over an area claimed by both Japan and Russia, adding another layer of tension to the already fraught relationship between the two nations. A defense ministry official told AFP on Friday that the last time Russian military aircraft circled Japan was in 2019, but that incident involved bombers that did enter the nation’s airspace.
The Russian aircraft’s flight comes amidst increased military activity in the region. Earlier this week, Russian and Chinese warships began joint drills in the Sea of Japan, part of a larger naval exercise described by Russian President Vladimir Putin as the largest of its kind in three decades. This collaboration between Russia and China, who have both expressed frustration with US global dominance, reflects a growing partnership that has been strengthened since the start of the Ukraine conflict.
Japan’s response is a clear indication of its concern over the evolving security landscape in the region. The country also scrambled fighter jets in late August when a Chinese military aircraft “violated” its airspace, highlighting the growing tension with China as well.
Since the start of the Ukraine conflict, relations between Japan and Russia have deteriorated significantly, with both countries claiming the Kuril Islands – known in Japan as the Northern Territories. The Soviet Union seized the strategically located volcanic archipelago north of Hokkaido in the final days of World War II, and has maintained a military presence there ever since. This unresolved territorial dispute has become a major point of contention, adding another layer of complexity to the already challenging relationship.
