Japan's Ministry of Defense announced today a joint exercise conducted in the Sea of Japan on 10/12, amidst an "increasingly severe" security environment. Two US B-52 strategic bombers and six Japanese aircraft, including three F-35 stealth fighters and three F-15 heavy fighters, participated in the activity.

The bilateral exercise "reaffirms the strong resolve between Japan and the US to not tolerate unilateral actions aimed at changing the status quo by force. It also demonstrates the readiness of the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the US military, while strengthening the alliance's deterrence and response capabilities," the statement said.

Japan F-15 fighters and US B-52 bombers during the exercise on 10/12. *Photo: Japan Ministry of Defense*

This marks the first US military display of strength since China began exercises in the region last week.

Japanese officials earlier this week accused Chinese J-15 carrier-based fighters, operating from the Liaoning aircraft carrier, of twice activating their fire control radar and locking onto F-15 fighters southeast of Okinawa on 6/12.

China refuted the information, stating that the J-15 fighters only activated their warning radar during training and accused the F-15s of disrupting the exercise activities.

Japan and South Korea also scrambled fighters on 9/12 when a series of Russian and Chinese military aircraft operated near both nations. Moscow stated the aircraft were flying in international airspace, while Tokyo considered it a show of force and a "serious security concern".

Japan hosts the largest concentration of US military forces abroad, with a carrier strike group and an expeditionary marine unit permanently stationed there.

Pham Giang (According to Reuters)