The number of SDF aircraft scrambled or urgently launched against aircraft from other countries that may invade the territory was about 1000 times last year, the second highest in the past.
The reason is that the number of Chinese aircraft has increased.
According to the Ministry of Defense's summary, the number of scrambled emergency starts made by JASDF fighters in the last year was 1004, an increase of 279 times from the previous year.
This is the second highest number ever, following the highest number of 1168 times in 2016.
Scrambles to Chinese aircraft were 722 times, an increase of about 260 times from the previous year, accounting for 70% of the total.
Scrambles to Russian aircraft were 266 times, an increase of 8 times from the previous year.
A person in charge of the Ministry of Defense said, "The number of Chinese aircraft that are subject to scrambling is increasing recently, and it is possible that the Chinese military has expanded its activity area and activated information gathering." I'm talking.
On the other hand, in November last year, it was confirmed that Chinese and Russian bombers made a joint flight around Japan.
The joint flight of the two armies has been confirmed around Japan for the third consecutive year, and the Ministry of Defense continues to be vigilant and monitor as a peculiar move.