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A day after Russian and Chinese warships were spotted off the coast of Alaska, the Japanese Navy was put on alert on September 27th as 7 Russian and Chinese warships sailed between the Izu Islands. It was the day after the USS Zumwalt pulled into the port of Yokosuka, Japan, which is just north of the Izu Islands. Ashish Dangwal of The Eurasian Times writes (abridged):
The Japanese Navy is on alert due to the recent increase in collaborative military actions between the two countries. The latest development also coincides with news that the US Coastguard spotted a convoy of Russian and Chinese warships, including a destroyer and a guided missile cruiser, near Alaska.
The ministry stated on September 27 that three Chinese naval ships, including a destroyer of the Nanchang class, sailed between the Izu islands of Sumisujima and Torishima in a westward direction.
Meanwhile, four Russian navy ships, including a destroyer of the Udaloy class, also sailed southwest and crossed the surrounding Japanese seas between the Izu islands of Mikurajima and Hachijojima.
It is believed that Russian naval ships have never traveled through these waters before. In addition, the ministry said that a Chinese Navy Dongdiao-class auxiliary intelligence ship had also passed between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture and sailed into the East China Sea on September 26.
Nevertheless, the growing presence of the Chinese and Russian warships in the region is becoming a primary concern for Japan.
Early this month, Japan voiced its concerns to Moscow regarding joint military drills between China and Russia’s warships off the northern coast of Japan. These exercises took place on Russian-controlled islands that Japan also claims.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Japan has expressed concern over rising tensions in Asia, anticipating that China’s already aggressive military activities in East Asia, particularly around Taiwan, could gain more momentum due to the conflict.
Furthermore, Japan is actively updating its national security strategy and defense policies to dramatically increase its military power and strengthen deterrence.
