Japan and the United States promoted a joint patrol on Wednesday (10) with American B-52 bombers, capable of launching nuclear attacks, and fighters from the Asian country in response to a similar maneuver carried out the day before by China and Russia.
The exercise was published this Thursday (11). Two B-52s, three fifth-generation F-35 fighters and three other F-15s, American models purchased by Tokyo, took part.
“We reaffirm our firm determination to prevent any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force,” Japan’s Defense Ministry said.
The support of Donald Trump’s government, which had urged Japan to moderate its support for the autonomous island of Taiwan, which Beijing considers its own, attracts attention because it is a first test of the new national security strategy of the United States, launched last week.
In the Indo-Pacific, he envisages a strong military deterrence, but also avoiding as much as possible a conflict with China, Washington’s rival strategic power during this century. The use of aircraft with the capability of the B-52 is one example, although there remains a risk of accidental collision.
The flight took place over the Sea of Japan, which was also the scene of Tuesday’s Sino-Russian action, when Japanese and South Korean fighters were deployed due to the entry of nuclear-capable Russian Tu-95 and Chinese H-6K bombers into the mandatory identification zone.
It does not constitute airspace, so there was no violation, but aircraft entering this region are required to communicate with local defenses. In this case, Japan and South Korea sent planes to accompany the bombers and their escorting fighters.
Patrols from Moscow and Beijing began in 2019, and it was the tenth such exercise, which the Russian Defense Ministry considers purely defensive, although it has declared support for Chinese allies in the clash with Japan. The chief of the Japanese general staff, Hiroaki Uchikura, did not agree this Thursday.
“We consider (the flight of the bomber) a serious concern from the point of view of Japan’s security,” he told a news conference. He spoke with Mark Rutte, the head of NATO, who gave him his support. The Dutchman has already suggested that China and Russia could launch a joint attack against the military alliance and Taiwan in the near future.
“The Japanese side does not need to make a fuss or take this personally,” said Chinese diplomatic spokesman Guo Jiakun, stressing that the maneuvers with the Russians are part of the increasing integration of their forces.
The ballet is another step in the growing tension in East Asia, which has increased since the inauguration of the new Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, owner of a more aggressive rhetoric towards the Chinese colossus at his side.
She suggested that Japan could intervene militarily on Taiwan’s behalf and install missiles and an electronic warfare station on an island just 70 miles away.
This led to protests in Beijing and a wave of boycotts from both sides that affected tourism and even cultural exchange between the countries, with resistance to rival cuisine restaurants.
Over the weekend, the raid intensified on military grounds when Japanese F-15 fighters were targeted by the radars of Chinese J-15 naval fighter jets conducting an exercise in the Sea of Japan. Tokyo protested.
Also on Thursday, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said there had been an increase in Beijing’s military activity around the island, with at least 27 aircraft, including H-6K bombers, on patrol.
Completing the series of exposed wires in the region, Russia signed a mutual defense pact with North Korea last year, effectively placing the nuclear dictatorship under its protection in the event of a conflict with the South, where there are nearly 30,000 American troops – the largest overseas contingent, 55,000, is in Japan.
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