B-52 over Japan.The US responds to maneuvers by China/Russia

On December 9, Chinese and Russian bombers conducted a joint flight over the waters of the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the western Pacific Ocean. The exercise involved, among others, Tu-95MS bombers, Il-78 aerial refueling tankers, an A-50U airborne early warning and control aircraft, and escort fighters including Su-30SMs.

In response to these maneuvers, American and Japanese aircraft—two B-52 bombers, three F-35s, and three F-15s—flew over the Sea of Japan. “This demonstrates the strong will shared between Japan and the United States and shows that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force will not be tolerated,”The Wall Street Journal quoted Japan’s Ministry of Defense as saying.

“The presence of U.S. strategic bombers alongside Japanese aircraft in the skies over the Sea of Japan represents a significant strengthening of U.S. support for Japan at a time when tensions between the two countries (China and Japan—ed.) continue to rise,” the article continued. The tensions in question largely stem from a diplomatic dispute that erupted in November after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that any potential use of force by Beijing in the Taiwan Strait could pose a real threat to Tokyo’s security—justifying possible deployment of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to counter Beijing. China’s reaction to these remarks was unusually harsh, leading to an ongoing series of increasingly serious “barbs,” including sanctions and an expanded number of Chinese military exercises.

The current U.S. action marks a shift in approach. Until now, the United States had sought to avoid becoming too deeply involved in the Japan-China dispute. According toWSJ, this restraint stemmed from former President Donald Trump’s desire to avoid worsening relations with Beijing. The American outlet reported that Trump even suggested to Japan’s prime minister that she should avoid “provoking” Chinese President Xi Jinping over Taiwan—claims that Japan’s Ministry of Defense has denied.

“Sending B-52 bombers to fly alongside Japanese fighters is a signal that the United States is paying attention to this dispute and that Chinese pressure will not fracture the U.S.-Japan alliance,” Christopher Johnstone of the Center for Strategic and International Studies toldWSJ.