The United States flew nuclear-capable B-52 strategic bombers with Japanese fighters over the Sea of Japan in the first joint show of force since a sharp diplomatic dispute between Tokyo and Beijing began last month.
Japan’s Joint Staff said the exercise involved two U.S. B-52s escorted by six Japanese F-35 and F-15 jets. Tokyo framed the drill as a demonstration of the allied commitment to prevent any unilateral attempts to alter the regional status quo — a phrase regularly used in connection with Taiwan, which is claimed by Beijing.
The exercise came after Chinese and Russian bomber and fighter aircraft conducted joint flights earlier in the week that prompted Japan and South Korea to scramble jets. South Korea lodged a diplomatic protest over that sortie. Tokyo and Beijing have also traded accusations that each side locked weapons-targeting radars onto the other’s planes during recent carrier drills near Japanese waters.
Japanese officials report a rise in Chinese naval activity around Okinawa prefecture and other southwestern islands close to Taiwan. Akira Saito, chief of staff of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, told reporters China’s operations have been “unusually active,” and Japan has observed an expansion in the areas where Chinese forces are operating. Tokyo views some of the maneuvers as pressure tied to the monthlong feud with Beijing.
The dispute began after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Nov. 7 that a Chinese naval blockade of Taiwan could justify mobilizing Japan’s military. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun responded that China’s drills were routine and lawful and that Japan should not overreact.
Washington, which has been focused on implementing a trade and economic deal agreed by President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in late October, issued a more critical public statement this week. The State Department said China’s actions “are not conducive to regional peace and stability,” affirmed that the U.S.-Japan alliance remains strong and said Washington is firmly committed to its ally and in close contact with Tokyo.
Japan’s Defense Ministry said Defense Minister Junichiro Koizumi is scheduled to speak by phone with his U.S. counterpart, Pete Hegseth, on Friday. NPR’s Jackie Northam contributed reporting.