DID Press: In a coordinated operation on Wednesday, two U.S. strategic B-52 bombers flew over the Sea of Japan alongside Japanese fighter jets — a show of allied strength following recent China–Russia military drills near Japan and South Korea.
Tokyo’s Defense Ministry said that the bombers flew in formation with six Japanese jets (three F-35s and three F-15s), marking the first display of U.S. military presence in the region since Beijing and Moscow began their recent exercises.
The move was described by officials in Tokyo as a reaffirmation of the U.S.–Japan alliance’s readiness posture and a deterrent against any unilateral efforts to change the regional status quo by force.
The timing of the flight follows a joint patrol on Tuesday by Chinese and Russian strategic bombers — two Russian Tu-95s and two Chinese H-6s — that flew near Japanese airspace over the East China Sea and western Pacific, escorted by Chinese J-16 fighters and Russian early-warning aircraft. Japan scrambled fighter jets in response.
In parallel, Seoul also scrambled warplanes after detecting Chinese and Russian aircraft near its air-defense identification zone, underscoring how rapidly regional tensions are escalating.
Tokyo and Washington issued statements reaffirming their “unwavering commitment” to regional stability and deterrence — signaling that Tokyo will not tolerate coercive military maneuvers by external powers near its territory.