Japan scrambled fighter jets after warplanes from both Russia and China approached its airspace on Tuesday. Japan called the action a "provocation" that was likely planned while it hosted an informal gathering of Quad nations.
The informal meeting consisted of leaders of four nations, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden, Anthony Albanese, and Narendra Modi.
Japanese defense minister Nobuo Kishi expressed Japan's 'grave concerns' to both Russia and China regarding their actions and threatening its airspace, according to AFP.
Kishi said that two Chinese bombers had joined two Russian bombers in the Sea of Japan and "made a joint flight to the East China Sea".
"After that, a total of four aircraft, two presumed (new) Chinese bombers – which replaced the two Chinese bombers – and two Russian bombers, conducted a joint flight from the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean" he stated.
He also said that the aircraft hovered over Northern Hokkaido to the Noto Peninsula in central Japan.
Kishi said that Japan has lodged its concerns to both Russia and China through diplomatic channels. "As the international community responds to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the fact that China took such action in collaboration with Russia, which is the aggressor, is cause for concern. It cannot be overlooked" he said.
The informal meeting consisted of leaders of four nations, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden, Anthony Albanese, and Narendra Modi.
Japanese defense minister Nobuo Kishi expressed Japan's 'grave concerns' to both Russia and China regarding their actions and threatening its airspace, according to AFP.
Kishi said that two Chinese bombers had joined two Russian bombers in the Sea of Japan and "made a joint flight to the East China Sea".
"After that, a total of four aircraft, two presumed (new) Chinese bombers – which replaced the two Chinese bombers – and two Russian bombers, conducted a joint flight from the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean" he stated.
He also said that the aircraft hovered over Northern Hokkaido to the Noto Peninsula in central Japan.
Kishi said that Japan has lodged its concerns to both Russia and China through diplomatic channels. "As the international community responds to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the fact that China took such action in collaboration with Russia, which is the aggressor, is cause for concern. It cannot be overlooked" he said.