A War Of Nerves Between Chinese And Japanese Fighter Pilots

A pilot inspects a Japanese F-15 fighter jet before it takes off from the Naha Air Base in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. (Ko Sasaki/The New York Times)

New York Times: In a Test of Wills, Japanese Fighter Pilots Confront Chinese

NAHA, Japan — Once a sleepy, sun-soaked backwater, this air base on the southern island of Okinawa has become the forefront of a dangerous test of wills between two of Asia’s largest powers, Japan and China.

At least once every day, Japanese F-15 fighter jets roar down the runway, scrambling to intercept foreign aircraft, mostly from China. The Japanese pilots say they usually face lumbering reconnaissance planes that cruise along the edge of Japanese-claimed airspace before turning home. But sometimes — exactly how often is classified — they face nimbler Chinese fighter jets in knuckle-whitening tests of piloting skills, and self-control.

“Intercepting fighters is always more nerve-racking,” said Lt. Col. Hiroyuki Uemura, squadron commander of the approximately 20 F-15 fighters stationed here at Naha Air Base. “We hold our ground, but we don’t provoke.”

Update: Chasing Chinese Planes 400 Times a Year Is Wearing Out Japan's Top Guns -- Bloomberg

WNU Editor: The old Asian historical animosities are returning .... and if the past is any indication .... this usually does not end well.