Joint China-Russia Air Patrol Escalates Tension in Japan
10th Dec. 2025
Japan has sent out fighter jets on Tuesday after Russian and Chinese aircraft carried out coordinated patrols around the country. According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, the incident further heightens tensions in an already volatile region of China and Japan. Moreover, the eight-hour joint operation involved nuclear-capable bombers and advanced fighter jets that flew through key airspace near Okinawa and the Miyako Strait. Consequently, the joint operation prompted Tokyo to issue a sharp warning about escalating military pressure.
Long Distance Joint Flight Escalates Tensions
The Japanese ministry reported that two Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers flew from the Sea of Japan toward the East China Sea. There, they linked up with two Chinese H-6 bombers. Afterward, the aircraft then conducted a “long-distance joint flight” over the Pacific. During the mission, four Chinese J-16 fighter jets also joined the formation and performed a round-trip flight between Okinawa and Miyako. Although the Miyako Strait is classified as international waters, the narrow passage frequently becomes a flashpoint due to its strategic location.
Additionally, Japan detected further Russian military activity in the Sea of Japan. It includes one A-50 early-warning aircraft and two Su-30 fighters, the Ministry informed. Because these movements occurred simultaneously, officials suggested they represented a coordinated show of force.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi released a statement on Wednesday. He said, “These joint operations of Russia and China were “clearly intended as a show of force against our nation, which is a serious concern for our national security.” Throughout the incident, Japan’s fighter jets “strictly implemented air defense identification measures”, he concluded.
Escalating East Asia Tensions After Joint Russian-Chinese Flight
South Korea also confirmed that seven Russian aircraft and two Chinese planes briefly entered its air defense identification zone on Tuesday. Although they did not violate the national airspace. Even so, the development added another layer of tension. The incident happened just a few days after Japan said that Chinese carrier-launched fighter jets aimed radar at Japanese military aircraft. A claim that Japan has denied.
Furthermore, these developments follow Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s a month-old statement that Tokyo could respond if Chinese military action against Taiwan directly threatened Japan. That remark drew a strong reaction from Beijing, which has increased both naval and aerial activity near Japan over the past month.
The US shows its support for Tokyo over Radar Incident
As the regional atmosphere grows increasingly tense, the United States has publicly backed Japan in its dispute with China over the radar-aiming incident. Washington stressed that it supports Japan’s right to safeguard its aircraft and, in addition, condemned actions that elevate the risk of miscalculation. As a result, this support highlights the widening geopolitical rifts that are currently affecting security dynamics in East Asia.
Web Resources on the China-Russia Air Patrol Near Japan
1. Reuters.com: Russian bombers join Chinese air patrol near Japan as Tokyo-Beijing tie strains
2. ThePrint.com: US backs Japan in dispute with China over radar incident
3. AcademicBlock.com: China Urges Its Citizens to Avoid Traveling to Japan