Japan Scrambles Jets As Russian Bombers Join Chinese Patrol Near Okinawa Island

Last Updated:December 10, 2025, 19:10 IST

Japan scrambled jets as Russian Tu-95 and Chinese H-6 bombers, joined by J-16 fighters, conducted joint patrols near Okinawa and Miyako, escalating tensions.

Japan Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the Russian and Chinese joint operations were "clearly intended as a show of force against our nation, which is a serious concern for our national security". (X)

Japan scrambled jets to monitor Russian and Chinese air forces conducting joint patrols around the country, Japanese defence ministry said, amid ongoing row between Tokyo and Beijing.

Reuters quoted the ministry saying two Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable strategic bombers flew from the Sea of Japan toward the East China Sea to rendezvous with two Chinese H-6 bombers, and performed a “long-distance joint flight" in the Pacific.

Four Chinese J-16 soon joined the bombers as they made a round-trip flight between Japan’s Okinawa and Miyako islands. The Miyako Strait between the two islands is classified as international waters.

The ministry further stated that simultaneous Russian air force activity were detected in the Sea of Japan, consisting of one early-warning aircraft A-50 and two Su-30 fighters.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the Russian and Chinese joint operations were “clearly intended as a show of force against our nation, which is a serious concern for our national security".

Japan’s fighter jets “strictly implemented air defense identification measures," Koizumi added.

Meanwhile, Russia defence ministry stated the Russian-Chinese joint flight near Japan lasted for eight hours.

South Korea also said seven Russian planes and two Chinese planes had entered its air defence zone.

Recently, relations between China and Tokyo soured after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takiachi told lawmakers that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan’s survival could potentially warrant a military response.

Beijing considers the self-governed island part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under its control, a claim Taiwan firmly rejects.

The controversy escalated after a Chinese diplomat in Japan posted a menacing comment about Takaichi on social media.

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