TOKYO/WASHINGTON – U.S. nuclear-capable bombers flew over the Sea of Japan on Wednesday alongside Japanese fighter jets, Tokyo said, in a demonstration of military readiness following Chinese and Russian exercises near Japan and South Korea.
Japan’s Defense Ministry said the joint flight “reaffirmed their strong resolve to prevent any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force” and confirmed the readiness posture of both Japanese Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces.
The operation involved two U.S. B-52 strategic bombers, three Japanese F-35 stealth fighters, and three F-15 air-superiority jets. It marked the first public display of U.S. military presence in the region since China began large-scale drills last week, amid heightened tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the bomber flights were pre-planned before the Chinese-Russian drills, noting that similar joint sorties, including U.S. B-1B bombers, occurred last month.
At the White House, spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt emphasized that President Donald Trump maintains both a “good working relationship” with China and a “very strong alliance” with Japan. “Japan is a great ally of the United States, as evidenced by our trade relations and personal ties. President Xi and the U.S. also maintain a good working relationship, which benefits our country,” she said.
The U.S. flights follow a joint mission of Chinese and Russian strategic bombers over the East China Sea and western Pacific on Tuesday, as well as separate Chinese aircraft carrier exercises that prompted Japan to scramble jets after radar targeting, according to Tokyo. The State Department criticized China’s actions as “not conducive to regional peace and stability,” while reaffirming U.S. support for Japan.
Tensions escalated last month when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo. Taiwan lies just over 100 kilometers from Japanese territory and is surrounded by crucial sea lanes. China denied targeting Japanese jets and called Tokyo’s reaction unnecessary.
Japan’s Chief of Staff, Joint Staff General Hiroaki Uchikura, said the Chinese-Russian bomber flight was “a grave concern from the standpoint of Japan’s security.” Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also discussed the situation with NATO Chief Mark Rutte by phone.
The Pentagon confirmed that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke with Koizumi on Thursday, reviewing China’s military activity, Japan’s defense spending, and upcoming training exercises across the country, including the Southwest Islands.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the drills were part of an annual cooperation plan to demonstrate determination to “safeguard regional peace and stability” and criticized Japan for overreacting.
South Korea’s military also scrambled jets after Chinese and Russian aircraft entered its air defense identification zone on Tuesday, which extends beyond national airspace for early warning purposes.
Meanwhile, Taiwan reported a continued increase in Chinese military presence for a second consecutive day, detecting 27 aircraft, including nuclear-capable H-6K bombers, conducting “joint combat readiness patrols,” alongside warships near the island.
The developments underscore rising military tensions in East Asia, with U.S., Japanese, and South Korean forces monitoring Chinese and Russian activities closely.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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