Japan Facing 'Cold War' Levels Of Intrusions From Chinese And Russian Military Aircraft

A Chinese SU-27 fighter jet flies over the East China Sea, in this handout photo taken June 11, 2014 and released by the Defense Ministry of Japan on June 11, 2014. Reuters/Defense Ministry of Japan

Reuters: Japan jets scramble at Cold-War levels as Chinese and Russian incursions increase

(Reuters) - Japan's air force said on Wednesday said jet fighter scrambles have reached a level not seen since the height of the Cold War three decades ago as Russian bombers probe its northern skies and Chinese combat aircraft intrude into its southern air space.

In the year ending March 31, Japanese fighters scrambled 944 times, 16 percent more than the same period the previous year, the country's Self Defence Force said.

That is the second highest number of encounters ever recorded over the 12-month period since records began in 1958 and only one less than a record 944 scrambles in 1984.

Update #1: Japan scrambling warplanes as often as Cold War era amid growing activity by China, Russia -- FOX News/AP
Update #2: Japan's Warplanes Scrambles Surge To Cold War-Levels Amid Rising Activity By Russia, China -- IBTimes

WNU Editor: The Chinese and Russians are sending in their planes for different reasons. For the Chinese .... it is all about defining what the maritime borders should be (in their eyes) .... and in regard to Russia, it is all about the U.S. - Japanese military alliance.