The Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces held a series of joint exercises in the East China Sea and other areas between Saturday and Tuesday, apparently aimed at keeping China in check, as the seasonal fishing ban set by the Chinese government came to an end Sunday. China has carried out provocative acts in waters around the disputed Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
The Air Self-Defense Force conducted a large-scale joint drill with the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps on Tuesday. The ASDF dispatched 20 jets, including F-15 fighters, and the U.S. side deployed 19 jets, including B-1 strategic bombers, state-of-the-art F-35B stealth fighters and an airborne warning and control system. They conducted air defense combat drills over the East China Sea.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's Suzutsuki destroyer conducted tactical training with the U.S. Navy's Mustin destroyer in the East China Sea from Saturday to Monday. Also, the MSDF's Ikazuchi destroyer conducted drills with U.S. Navy vessels, including the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan, in waters south of Okinawa Prefecture from Saturday to Tuesday.
The Defense Ministry and the Self-Defense Forces have described these exercises as "not aimed at a specific country," but the Japanese and U.S. governments are increasingly concerned that China has stepped up its attempts to change the status quo by engaging in provocative acts such as repeatedly intruding into Japanese waters around the Senkaku Islands earlier this year.
At a press conference on July 29, Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider, U.S. Forces Japan commander, indicated the forces will heighten their alert as China might dispatch a large number of fishing boats to the area around the Senkaku Islands following the fishing ban being lifted, and simultaneously deploy Chinese naval forces there.
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