Japan slams Russia for triple aerial intrusionーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

NHK WORLD-JAPAN

24 Sept 202402:54

Summary

TLDRJapanese fighter pilots fired flares for the first time to protect their airspace after a Russian military aircraft violated it three times near Rebun Island, Hokkaido. The incident, deemed 'extremely regrettable,' prompted stern diplomatic protests. Amid rising strategic cooperation between Russia and China, with increased military activities near Japanese waters, Defense Minister Kihara Mino labeled the airspace intrusion a provocation, following two Chinese violations last month.

Takeaways

🚨 Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) fighter pilots fired flares for the first time to protect their country's airspace on Monday.
🇷🇺 The incident involved a Russian military aircraft that violated Japanese airspace three times within hours.
✈️ The Russian aircraft was identified as an Ilyushin I38 patrol aircraft that intruded into airspace north of Rebun Island in Hokkaido.
💡 The flares fired by the ASDF jets serve both as a warning and to disrupt missile tracking systems.
🤔 A former Japanese fighter pilot questions the unusual behavior of the Russian plane, given the repeated airspace violations despite warnings.
🚢 Increased military activity is noted around Japan with Russian and Chinese vessels, including nine spotted near Rebun Island.
🔄 The incidents are part of a pattern of rising strategic cooperation between China and Russia, including joint drills and coordinated navigations.
🏢 Japan's Defense Minister, Kihara Mino, labeled Russia's airspace violation as a provocation, following two similar intrusions by China last month.
⚠️ The Japanese government has lodged a stern protest and urged Moscow to prevent a recurrence through diplomatic channels.
🛡 Japan is prepared to take strict measures against any violations of its airspace, indicating a strong stance on national security.

Q & A

What action did Japan's air self-defense Force take in response to the Russian military aircraft?
-Japan's air self-defense Force (ASDF) fighter pilots fired flares after a Russian Ilyushin Il-38 patrol aircraft intruded into Japanese airspace three times.
How many times did the Russian aircraft violate Japanese airspace?
-The Russian aircraft violated Japanese airspace three times in a matter of hours.
What was the response of the Japanese government to the airspace violation?
-The Japanese government lodged a stern protest through diplomatic channels and urged Moscow to prevent a recurrence.
What is the purpose of the flares fired by the ASDF fighter jets?
-The flares can make it difficult for missiles to track their targets and can also be used as a warning.
What does the defense ministry say about the Russian aircraft's movements?
-The defense ministry stated that the Russian aircraft's movements were unusual and extremely regrettable.
What is the significance of the flares being fired by the ASDF for the first time?
-The firing of flares by the ASDF is significant as it represents an unprecedented action taken to protect Japan's airspace.
What is the role of patrol planes like the Russian Ilyushin Il-38?
-Patrol planes are used to search for and monitor vessels and submarines.
Why is it considered unusual for a Russian aircraft to violate Japan's airspace despite notifications and warnings?
-It is unusual because typically, aircraft respect a country's airspace after being notified and warned.
How many Russian and Chinese vessels were spotted near Japan on Sunday and Monday?
-Nine vessels were spotted in the Soya Strait near Rebun Island.
What does the increase in incidents involving Russian and Chinese vessels indicate?
-The increase in incidents indicates a rise in military activities and strategic cooperation between Russia and China.
What measures did the defense minister, Kiharu Mino, say Japan would take against airspace violations?
-Defense Minister Kiharu Mino stated that Japan would take strict measures against airspace violations without hesitation, using a range of options suitable for the situation.

Outlines

00:00

🚨 Japan's Air Self-Defense Force Responds to Russian Intrusion

For the first time, Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) fighter pilots fired flares to protect their country's airspace after a Russian military aircraft violated it three times in a short period. This incident is considered extremely regrettable by the Japanese Defense Ministry, which has lodged a stern protest and urged Moscow to prevent future occurrences. The Russian Ilyushin-38 patrol aircraft intruded into Japanese airspace north of Rebun Island in Hokkaido on three separate occasions between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. The flares, which can hinder missile tracking, were deployed as a warning after the third breach. The incident raises questions as patrol planes are typically used for monitoring vessels and submarines, and such violations despite warnings are unusual. The situation is further complicated by the presence of Russian and Chinese vessels near Japanese waters, with nine spotted in the Soya Strait near Rebun Island on Sunday and Monday. Defense Minister Kihara Mino has called for close monitoring of Chinese and Russian military activities, which are increasing in frequency and include joint drills and coordinated navigations, indicating a strengthening strategic cooperation.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Fighter Pilots

Fighter pilots are military aviators trained to engage in aerial combat while protecting their nation's airspace. In the context of the video, Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) fighter pilots are highlighted for their actions in response to foreign aircraft intrusions. This is a significant role as it directly relates to national security and defense.

💡Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF)

The Air Self-Defense Force is Japan's military branch responsible for the country's air warfare capabilities. The script mentions that ASDF fighter pilots took unprecedented action by firing flares in response to a foreign aircraft's intrusion, indicating a serious breach of airspace and the force's readiness to protect Japanese territory.

💡Russian Military Aircraft

A Russian military aircraft is referenced in the script as the intruder into Japanese airspace. This term is crucial as it identifies the foreign entity that prompted Japan's response, underscoring the geopolitical tensions and the potential for conflict that such incidents can create.

💡Violations

Violations refer to the unauthorized entry of foreign aircraft into another country's airspace, which is a serious breach of international law. The script indicates that there were three such violations by the Russian aircraft, emphasizing the severity of the incident and Japan's justified response.

💡Diplomatic Channels

Diplomatic channels are the means through which nations communicate and resolve disputes at an official level. The script mentions that Japan lodged a stern protest through these channels, illustrating the formal nature of international relations and the steps taken to address the airspace violation.

💡Defense Ministry

The Defense Ministry is the governmental body responsible for a nation's defense policies and military operations. In the script, the Japanese Defense Ministry confirms the airspace intrusion and details the actions taken, highlighting the official stance and response to the incident.

💡Leban Island

Leban Island is a geographical reference in the script, indicating the location where the airspace violation occurred. This is significant as it provides context for the incident's proximity to Japanese territory and the strategic importance of the area.

💡Flares

Flares are pyrotechnic devices used by aircraft for various purposes, including as a countermeasure against heat-seeking missiles. The script describes the ASDF fighter jets firing flares, which can serve both as a defensive tactic and a warning to the intruding aircraft.

💡Patrol Aircraft

Patrol aircraft are used for surveillance and monitoring of vessels and submarines. The script mentions the Russian I38 patrol aircraft, suggesting its role in military activities that led to the airspace violation, and raising questions about its intentions.

💡Soya Strait

The Soya Strait is a body of water near Lebanon Island where Chinese and Russian vessels were spotted. This keyword is significant as it provides context for increased military activities in the region, which may be related to the airspace violation incident.

💡Provocation

Provocation refers to an action or event that is likely to anger or irritate others, often used in the context of international relations to describe aggressive behavior. The script uses this term to describe Russia's violation, indicating that Japan views the incident as a deliberate act meant to challenge or threaten.

Highlights

Japanese fighter pilots had never fired a flare to protect their airspace until Monday.

The action was in response to a Russian military aircraft violating Japanese airspace.

The incident occurred on Monday, marking a significant event in Japan's defense history.

Japan lodged a stern protest through diplomatic channels against Russia.

The Russian I-38 Patrol aircraft intruded into Japanese airspace three times.

The violations happened in a short span of three hours.

Japanese ASDF fighter jets took unprecedented action after the third breach.

Fighter flares were used, which can disrupt missile tracking and serve as a warning.

A former Japanese fighter jet pilot questioned the Russian plane's maneuvers.

It's unusual for an aircraft to violate airspace despite notifications and warnings.

Japanese waters are seeing increased activity from Russian and Chinese vessels.

Nine vessels were spotted in the Soya Strait near Lebon Island.

The incidents are part of growing Chinese and Russian military activities.

Japan's Defense Minister warns of strategic cooperation between China and Russia.

The violation is considered a provocation following two intrusions by China last month.

Japan's Defense Minister expressed a strong sense of crisis over the series of incidents.

Japan will take strict measures against airspace violations without hesitation.