Japan Scrambles Jets as Russian Aircraft Circle Archipelago for First Time in Five Years

On Friday, September 13, Japan scrambled fighter jets after Russian military aircraft circled the archipelago for the first time in five years.

This was reported by The Japan Times, citing the Japanese Defense Ministry.

According to the agency, 2 Russian Tu-142 aircraft flew from the sea between Japan and South Korea towards Okinawa Prefecture. After that, they flew north over the Pacific Ocean to end their journey near northern Hokkaido.

An official stated that the planes did not enter Japanese airspace but flew over a region that is under territorial dispute between Japan and Russia.

"In response, we mobilized Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets on an emergency basis," the ministry statement said.

Earlier this week, joint Russian and Chinese drills were announced to take place including in the Sea of Japan.