To use this site, please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page.
This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content, and analyzing our website traffic. By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies.
Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo The main gate of the Defense Ministry is seen in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo.
Jiji Press
13:13 JST, January 24, 2024
TOKYO, Jan. 23 (Jiji Press) — Japan’s Self-Defense Forces scrambled fighter jets 555 times to counter possible airspace incursions in April-December last year, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday.
While the figure was down from 612 logged in the same period a year earlier, the ministry said that operations involving Chinese and Russian military aircraft remained active.
Scrambles against Chinese aircraft accounted for 392 times, or about 70 pct of the total, down by 70. The number of scrambles against Russian aircraft increased by 15 to 148.
In December, China and Russia conducted their second joint flight of the year, with their bombers and fighter jets flying over the Sea of Japan and other areas.
Aircraft takeoffs and landings took place 570 times at the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong in waters south of the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa between October and November.
