US Bombers Fly with Japanese Jets in Show of Force After China–Russia Drills

The United States flew nuclear-capable B-52 bombers over the Sea of Japan alongside Japanese fighter jets on Wednesday, Tokyo announced, marking a show of force after joint Chinese-Russian drills in waters and airspace around Japan and South Korea.

In a statement on Thursday, Japan’s defence ministry said the two allies “reaffirmed their strong resolve to prevent any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force,” and confirmed the readiness of both the Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces.

The mission — involving two U.S. B-52 strategic bombers and six Japanese fighters, including F-35 stealth jets and F-15s — was Washington’s first visible military response since China launched a new round of exercises in the region last week.

The display came a day after Chinese and Russian strategic bombers conducted a joint patrol over the East China Sea and western Pacific, and after Chinese aircraft carrier drills that prompted Japan to scramble jets, which Tokyo said had been targeted by radar locks.

Washington criticized the Chinese actions as destabilizing, reiterating its “unwavering” commitment to its alliance with Japan. Both Japan and South Korea host significant U.S. forces, with Japan home to the largest American military presence overseas.

China rejected Japan’s claims, accusing Japanese jets of flying too close to its carrier group and endangering flight operations.

South Korea said it, too, scrambled fighters on Tuesday when Chinese and Russian aircraft entered its air defense identification zone, a buffer area used for early warning.

Regional tensions have been rising following remarks last month by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about how Tokyo might respond to a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan. Beijing, which claims the self-ruled island and has not ruled out force to seize it, views such comments as provocative.