Joint Sino-Russian patrols push Japan to rethink defense posture
“These are not discrete exercises. Indeed, they are the public expression of an increasingly close military relationship between Beijing and Moscow, one developed purposely to disrupt the link between the United States and its allies in the region. The most obvious example of this is evident by looking at the patrol routes — across the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea and the Miyako Strait — which send a clear message that Japan is in their crosshairs.”
“Over the past two years, overflights have become increasingly sophisticated and extended. Last month, Chinese H-6 bombers took off from Russian soil in what was reportedly their first operational flight from that country, extending China’s reach to cover Alaska. And even more serious, last year nuclear-capable H-6N bombers took part in the exercise, a disturbing trend that signals actual preparation for potential attacks. This has forced U.S. and Japanese fighters to intercept these aircraft as they continue to fly closer to allied skies.”
“Tokyo must treat these patrols as a strategic, not tactical, issue. This means…”
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/08/27/japan/taking-sino-russian-patrols-seriously/