Comments

Posts

Russian Bomber Violates Japanese Airspace

A Russian air force bomber briefly violated Japanese airspace over an uninhabited island just south of Tokyo on Saturday, the Foreign Ministry said.

The three-minute flyby over Sofugan in the Izu island chain by a Tupolev 95 ended following warnings by Japanese air force fighter jets, said Foreign Ministry official Kotaro Otsuki.

The ministry immediately lodged a protest with the Russian Embassy in Tokyo and demanded an explanation, Otsuki said.

A switchboard operator at the embassy said no one was available to comment Saturday.

Japan’s navy scrambled 22 fighter jets, including F-15s, and two airborne warning and control aircraft known as AWACs, a Defense Ministry official said on condition of anonymity, citing protocol.

The Associated Press article describes Sofugan as an island “just south of Tokyo,” but as this map shows, it’s actually pretty far from Japan’s main islands:

sofu-gan

I guess somebody considers it worth protecting, though.

31 comments - What do you think? Posted by James - February 9, 2008 at 5:31 pm

Categories: Foreigners in Japan Tags: bomber, island, japan, news, russia, tu-95, war

http://brandonpittman.wordpress.com Brandon

What surprises me is at how many aircraft Japan sent in response. 22 seems a tad excessive for one enemy aircraft.

The Overthinker

Most excitement those pilots have had in years. Of course they all want to fly off and “protect Japan against the Russian threat” etc etc.

KokuRyu

It is their job to monitor, control and protect Japanese airspace. While the islands look like they are a long way from Tokyo, they are actually part of Tokyo-fu; the islands themselves hold tremendous strategic value for Japan because they guarantee Japan’s economic zone in the area. Japan can control fisheries, shipping and mineral rights in the areas surrounding the island.

It was probably necessary for Japan to scramble a wing of fighters to meet the Russian bomber. It is a very large area, and probably one or two fighters would not be enough.

I lived near Komatsu air base and felt lucky for its presence. North Korean agents came ashore along the Japan Sea coast for thirty years kidnapping people. North Korea periodically tests missiles with the aim of intimidating Japan.

And now Russia.

http://bonesworld-gooch.blogspot.com/ Bonesdog

It may have partly been a range issue. I don’t know exactly where the fighters scrambled from, but that island is over 600 miles south of Tokyo, which is going to be about a 2-hour round trip. Since the JASDF does not, yet, have the luxury of sending out a tanker to pass gas to the F-15s as they get low, they were probably cycling them out there – some would go out and intercept, others that launched a little later would then take over while the first aircraft returned to base, repeat – if so, you’ll go through fighters on station pretty quick.

sireB

I guess somebody considers it worth protecting, though.

Don’t tell me this blog doesn’t understand power projection either…
Arag

They claim the Island so they can claim the 15 miles of see around it right?
404error

lolol they scrambled 22 jets for a single tupolev^^

but i do understand that the japanese are seeking to “protect” this “island”, its part of their country… i wouldnt like it if a russian bomber would fly over a german island, its japanese territory russian military has nothing to do there(they have enough place in russia already^^)
CS

They’re being seriously jumpy. I doubt they even noticed it was there much less violating there airspace.

If the reaction was really that big and not a false statement then there might have been other reasons for the reaction unknown at this point, hopefully Japanese citizens will find out if there was. The Japanese gov’t has come off as being rather upfront.

Or

It has something to do with disputed land but, what would a bomber have to do with any of that is beyond me. Also isn’t the disputed islands far from that area?

http://www.japanprobe.com James

I think Monos has the right idea: they’re doing it to provoke the Japanese. The article linked in the post mentions that this might be Russian response to Japanese assertions of territorial rights over islands north of Hokkaido.

Monos

The violation was very likely not an accident. Russia has been doing the same in Europe for some time now. There have been repetitive violations of Finland’s, Norway’s and other countries’ airspaces. With modern navigation technology, there is no way these incidents can be considered accidents. It is deliberate provocation.
Monos

As everyone surely knows, Japan and Russia never signed a peace treaty after WWII because of the territory disputes.
http://loliffect.blogspot.com homeless_homo

Think about it, if a (it doesn’t even have to be russian) bomber was seen off the coast of the united states and it didn’t state that it would be there…wouldn’t you worry at LEAST a little that it might be coming to BOMB YOU?

I think we would have done the same. Knowing bush…he probably would have had it shot down too.

The Overthinker

“wouldn’t you worry at LEAST a little that it might be coming to BOMB YOU?”

No. Don’t live in the States, never have, probably never will. Like 95% of the global population.

Jack

You speak English and you’re NOT from the states?

*gasps of horror*

Raza

Although it is quite normal for a country to send out jets to protects its airspace, i feel like Japan over does everything. Does anyone remember the police chase with over 1000 officers for 1 guy? This is getting ridiculous. A single f-15 can take a tupolev, why 22 fighter jets.

Btw, lol at the last comment. Although its part of your country, its a frickin rock.
Bernt

Russia is an agressive country. At the other end of Russia they are flying over Scandinavia all the time and its a problem. Now that Russia flew over that far away from Russia over Japanese errotory is odd. Good to know that the air space system works.

Bruce Smith

Absolutely. Russia sucks. The Cold War ended. But the Russian government (not the people) is still an enemy of civilization.

Bernt

“Although its part of your country, its a frickin rock.”

Its not only a rock because you can fish there for instance. So the rock plays a great deal of importance.
annie

They only send 22 ? I would send 52. Two to confront the Russian’s Bomber, and 50 to head straight to Australia
Pingback: Japan Sent 22 Fighters to Intercept Russian Bomber at DPRK Studies
morningstar

I wish all Countries can just leave each other alone and just work together. This may sound boreing but I am just tired with Countries that wont stop.

http://www.victorymanual.com Alex

Well, what you’re looking for is a One World Order, but even if that scenario was possible, we’d still have religious wars to contend with.

hoihoi

i think these problem are used for revision of article9.

We, the Japanese people, desire peace for all time and are deeply conscious of the high ideals controlling human relationship and we have determined to preserve our security and existence, trusting in the justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the world….

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E5%9B%BD%E6%86%B2%E6%B3%95%E5%89%8D%E6%96%87

Bruce Smith

Sure. No problem. All Russia has to do is stay out of Japanese airspace.

Bruce Smith

Russia needs to grow up and understand that they are not important anymore. Stop playing silly and very dangerous games.

Japan needs to demonstrate strength. Russia is finished. But China is on the ascendancy. (And Russia although all washed is is still dangerous especially with Putin at the helm).

Bruce Smith

“is is” Oops. Sorry.
404error

russia is still very important having huge natural gas ressources oil too gold diamonds. they have a huge amount of ressources and a huge army(even if not very up to date in techs) and have alot of nuclear warheads and intercontinental missiles and russia is the biggest country in the world 17075400 km².
such a country shouldnt be ignored and qualified as not important

so saying they are not important anymore is kinda dumb

but it does not mean that they can violate other countrys territory
Steven

Russia is easily in the top 5 most powerful countries in the world. Easily.

they have something like 45% of the WORLDS aggregate resources (overall), THE most powerful nuclear arsenal, and and enormous territory.

saying this is unprovoked is idiocy. in 2002 the USA pulled out of the no-space-weapons treaty. in 2006 the US started construction of a missile shield on russias borders.

why don’t you whine about that? japan is a natural target, being a close ally of the USA.

Bernt

” wish all Countries can just leave each other alone and just work together. This may sound boreing but I am just tired with Countries that wont stop”

The one world government. Thats what countries are talking about now and this with international law.
The microchip.
http://bonesworld-gooch.blogspot.com/ Bonesdog

Just a thought, perhaps this should be filed under “Foriegners OVER Japan” rather than “Foreigners IN Japan”?
Thozmaniac

Russia under Putin needs to be reminded of the two world wars. They lost millions of people, and you would think they would have learned a lesson.
Seems they haven’t, and so they will prob lose millions more.
After all they’re itching for a fight with somebody.

Russian Bomber Violates Japanese Airspace

Recent Comments

Further Reading

South Korean Government Demands That International Hydrographic Organization Use “East Sea”

Japanese Documentary About Sea Shepherd’s Protest Activities in Taiji (English Subtitles)

Babies Born on March 11th Receive Special Present

Washington Times Freelancer Slams Former Employer, Fails to Ethically Disclose Relationship?

Christopher Johnson Attempts to Silence Criticism of His “Gaijin Gulag” Article (Legal Threats!!!)

Tabloid Reports About Yu Darvish’s Love Life: Kirara Asuka & Miho Koga?

Does K-Pop Group KARA Have Ties to North Korea?

Tokyo Gate Bridge

Sara Errani Admits She Avoided Tennis Tournament in Tokyo: Feared Radiation

Chinese Workers Who Survived March 11th Tsunami Return to Tohoku

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Japan Blogs

Korea Blogs

Linkroll

Other Asia Blogs