Japanese Jets Scramble to Deal with Russian Plane Incursion

Japan says it launched fighter jets on Monday when Russian patrol planes entered airspace above the Sea of Japan. Nearby military drills between the U.S. and Japan were put on hold as a result.

[Yoshito Sengoku, Chief Cabinet Secretary, Japan]:
"It is a fact that as part of the continuing Japan - U.S. joint exercises, there was training taking place in the Sea of Japan on the 6th. It is also a fact that fighter jets were launched after Russian planes were detected over the Sea of Japan near Japan's Noto Peninsula."

Ties between Japan and Russia have been strained since Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit in November to one of four islands claimed by both countries, infuriating Tokyo.

Japan’s Foreign Minister viewed the islands from a plane last Saturday, and some Japanese media speculated that the Russian action could have been in response to the move.

Japanese vice Defense Minister Jun Azumi said on Wednesday Japan's armed forces need to upgrade the country's defense capability in the Southwest, where it shares a maritime border with China.

[Jun Azumi, Vice Defense Minister, Japan]:
"In the new defense program, we mapped out the importance of our armed forces mobility for the first time. We hope to improve our military mobility to boost Japan's defense capability especially in the Southwest, including the Sakishima Islands - an area seen as vulnerable."

Japan's defense capability has traditionally been allocated heavily in the North to respond to potential threats from the former Soviet Union.

Azumi said the timing is right for Japan and South Korea to deepen their security ties in addition to Japan's alliance with the United States.

[Jun Azumi, Vice Defense Minister, Japan]:
"We are going to discuss closely with the United States and South Korea in order to secure safety in the Far East. I also believe it's important to strengthen security cooperation and diplomacy with Australia, India, Indonesia and other ASEAN nations."

And for the first time, South Korean military officers are also participating in the military exercise between Japan and the United States.