According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) scrambled its jets nearly 700 times in the past 12 months in response to suspected airspace violations. These incidents primarily involved Russian and Chinese military aircraft, with Chinese aircraft accounting for approximately 70% of the scrambles. The Defense Ministry reported that the ASDF intercepted Chinese aircraft 479 times, a decrease of 96 compared to the previous year, and Russian aircraft 174 times, an increase of 24. The majority of these incidents occurred in Japan’s southwestern airspace, reflecting the increased presence of Chinese forces in the Western Pacific. The Japanese government has expressed concern over the frequent airspace violations, particularly in light of China’s growing military capabilities and assertive actions in the region. Japan shares maritime borders with potential adversaries Russia, China, and North Korea, and is closely aligned with the United States for defense purposes. The increasing frequency of airspace violations poses challenges for Japan’s national security and highlights the importance of maintaining a strong defense posture.
Japan’s Air Force Scrambles Jets Nearly 700 Times Due to Air Violations by Russia and China
