TOKYO: Japan scrambled fighter jets after Russian aircraft flew around the archipelago for the first time in five years, Tokyo's defence ministry said on Friday (Sep 13).
From Thursday morning to afternoon, the Russian Tu-142 aircraft flew from the sea between Japan and South Korea towards the southern Okinawa region, according to a statement by the defence ministry.
They then went northwards over the Pacific Ocean to finish their journey off northern Hokkaido island, it added.
The planes did not enter Japanese airspace but flew over an area subject to a territorial dispute between Japan and Russia, the official said.
"In response, we mobilised Air Self-Defence Force fighter jets on an emergency basis," the ministry statement said.

Japan scrambles jets as Russian aircraft circles country