A photo released by Japan’s Ministry of Defense showed Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15s flying alongside U.S. B-52 bombers near Japanese airspace during a bilateral exercise.
SEOUL — The United States sent nuclear-capable B-52 strategic bombers to fly with Japanese fighter jets over the Sea of Japan in the first joint show of force since a sharp diplomatic rift between Tokyo and Beijing surfaced last month. Japan’s Joint Staff said the operation involved two U.S. B-52s and six Japanese fighters — a mix of F-35s and F-15s — and reiterated that the exercise underscores the allies’ resolve “not to tolerate unilateral changes to the status quo by force,” language Tokyo frequently uses in reference to Taiwan.
The flight came after Chinese and Russian forces conducted joint bomber and fighter drills that led Japan and South Korea to scramble aircraft; Seoul lodged a diplomatic protest over that activity. Both Tokyo and Beijing have accused one another of locking weapons-targeting radar onto their planes during Chinese carrier exercises in nearby waters.
Japan has reported increased Chinese naval movements around Okinawa prefecture, including near islands closer to Taiwan. Akira Saito, chief of staff of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, told reporters Beijing’s naval operations are “unusually active” and expanding in scope, and that some drills appear to be pressure tactics related to the diplomatic dispute.
The spat was triggered after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Nov. 7 that a Chinese naval blockade of Taiwan could justify mobilizing Japan’s military. China’s Foreign Ministry has described its exercises as routine and urged Japan not to overreact.
Washington, meanwhile, has been focused on carrying out a trade agreement reportedly reached by President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in late October. Until this week, the Trump administration had not publicly criticized China over the Tokyo-Beijing tensions. In a statement to NPR, the State Department said, “China’s actions are not conducive to regional peace and stability,” affirmed that “the U.S.-Japan Alliance is stronger and more united than ever,” and reiterated U.S. commitment to Japan.
Japan’s Defense Ministry said Defense Minister Junichiro Koizumi is scheduled to speak by phone with his U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth. NPR’s Jackie Northam contributed reporting.