Russian and Chinese warplanes approached the Japanese airspace on Tuesday, prompting Japan to scramble fighter jets.

According to Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, who spoke at a press conference, Tokyo has conveyed its “serious concern” to both Russia and China through diplomacy.

Russia and China appear to have timed these “provocative” flights, as Japan refers to them, on the day the leaders of the so-called Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD), also known as QUAD, met in Tokyo.

The Quad meeting is essentially a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan and the United States.

“I think the fact that this action was taken at this summit makes it more provocative than in the past,” Nobuo Kishi said, adding that this was the fourth incident since November.

According to the Japanese Defense Minister, four military aircraft were found over the Sea of ​​Japan. More Specifically, two Chinese bombers which were protected by, two Russian fighters.

In addition, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Russian military reconnaissance aircraft also approached the Japanese Airspace.

The Chinese Ministry of Defense said the exercise was part of an ongoing co-operation program between China and Russia.

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