Japan’s warplanes used flares to warn a Russian Il-38 reconnaissance aircraft that breached its airspace above Rebun Island, Hokkaido, for up to a minute in three instances. This incident followed a joint Chinese-Russian fleet sailing near Japan’s northern coasts. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara linked the violation to a joint military exercise by Russia and China. Japan scrambled F-15 and F-35 jets, using flares for the first time after ignored warnings. Japan protested to Russia and emphasized vigilance against growing China-Russia military cooperation. Japan’s military scrambled jets 669 times from April 2023 to March 2024, mainly against Chinese aircraft.