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Japanese fighter jets took to the air, while Russian military aircraft, including bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons, flew near the airspace of the United States ally.
Japan's Defense Ministry said it would continue to remain on full alert to protect the country's territory and citizens. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the incident, saying its Tu-95MS bombers were conducting a routine flight within international airspace.
Russia has signaled its military strength in the country's Far East region through the deployment of aircraft and ships, alarming Japan, which has described the moves as a strong security concern, in addition to Moscow's strategic ties with China.
Japan is hosting about 60,000 US troops in exchange for security guarantees from Washington. At least four non-nuclear B-1B bombers were deployed to Japan earlier this month, which the US military said was intended to bolster stability in the region.
The deployment of the Russian bombers comes days ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to Japan on Monday, where he is scheduled to meet with the country's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, as the two leaders aim to strengthen the alliance.
Japan's Defense Ministry said Russia on Friday deployed two bombers and two fighter jets over the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea in South Korea. The planes were tracked as they flew near the coasts of Hokkaido and Honshu, Japan's two main islands.
While the Russian military aircraft remained outside Japan's airspace, which extends to about 13.8 miles from the coastline, the fighter jets were seen carrying missiles under their wings, according to photos and a map released by Japan's Defense Ministry.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the flight near Japan on Friday, saying the Tu-95MS bombers were accompanied by Su-35S and Su-30SM fighter jets during their more than 11-hour flight over what it called "neutral waters" of the Sea of Japan.
Without specifying the countries of origin, the Russian Defense Ministry said foreign fighter jets took to the air to identify Russian aircraft in some parts of their flight, adding that the flight was in full compliance with international airspace rules.
According to the Federation of American Scientists, the Tu-95MS bomber can carry air-launched nuclear missiles. During a Russian strategic forces exercise on October 22, the same type of bomber deployed and launched air-launched missiles.
After deploying Tu-95MS bombers, Japanese fighter jets intercepted a second Russian military flight by an Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Sea of Japan on Saturday, flying from north to south near the coasts of Hokkaido and Honshu.
Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement that "Russian long-range aviation crews regularly conduct patrols over the neutral waters of the Arctic, North Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Black Sea and Baltic Sea. All flights by Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft are in strict compliance with international rules for the use of airspace."
It remains to be seen whether the Russian military will increase its activities near Japan to test its defenses as the US ally conducts a large-scale war exercise across the country.
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