Japan is showcasing its military power against Chinese threats.The Chinese threat is forcing Japan to rethink its security day by day.We can say that Tokyo is determined to be recognized as an important part of the European security architecture.Here are the details of the news.China frequently intercepts US and allied warplanes and other aircraft flying in international airspace. The People’s Liberation Army Navy also harass US Navy ships, without any reason other than to scare them.The US Department of Defense recorded how many times China attacked US and allied aircraft in 2023.Now the US and its allies are using show-of-force tactics to show China that they can also show their capabilities by showing their power.The mission was to take the initiative and break China’s will by using stealth fighter jets.The allied countries believed that it was time to stand up to China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific.The US and Japan recently conducted joint air exercises near Okinawa, showcasing their military might against increasing Chinese aggression.This time, the Americans and Japanese conducted exercises around an island that is critical to China’s eyes and ears on January 22 and 24.The exercises involved 32 Japanese aircraft, 24 F-15s and US Air Force F-22s, underscoring Okinawa’s strategic importance in maintaining regional stability.As tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific, the “Grand Allied Basin”, which includes Taiwan and the Philippines, is strengthening its deterrence against China.The exercises underscore America’s commitment to defending its allies and preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.The exercises took place in the southwest of the island, off Okinawa. Okinawa is part of the Ryukyu Islands, which belong to Japan.This is a strategic area of water between the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea. Japan and the United States need to control this area and the skies above it in the event of a conflict with China.Okinawa is a key outpost for American and Japanese defense strategy, operations and tactics.There are approximately 54,000 American troops stationed on the Japanese island of Okinawa.A total of 32 Japanese aircraft, including 24 F-15s and helicopters, participated in the exercises.They are flying from Naha Air Base in Okinawa.These pilots are experienced because they often have to intercept Chinese aircraft flying over Okinawa’s airspace.Japan has also established an Air Defense Identification Zone around its territory to assert its sovereignty and send a message to China that it will not tolerate any intrusive activities by aircraft from the Middle Kingdom.Meanwhile, the Americans have deployed Air Force F-22s and Marine Corps V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. These can transport troops quickly and efficiently.The F-22s fly from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa.This is the closest Air Force facility to Taiwan and would be a flashpoint for conflict if China were to attempt to invade Taiwan.Military exercises with allied partners are arguably the best way to prepare for further Chinese aggression.Working with allies shows China that it is isolated in the Indo-Pacific without many friends.The US-Japan alliance is essential to the free world’s stance in the Pacific. In the mutual security treaty, the US and Japan recognize that they share a common stake in the security and peaceful progress of the Far East region.Japan’s first F-35B carrier landings were carried out with the support of UK and US Naval Aviation experts.A Royal Navy pilot is reportedly actively helping Japan transition to operating the F-35B Lightning II, providing expertise in flight testing and operational procedures to ensure the smooth integration of the aircraft into Japan’s naval forces.Japan has been operating the F-35A, a conventional takeoff and landing variant, for several years.However, the introduction of the F-35B represents a shift toward carrier-based air power, as the aircraft’s short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities allow for operations from smaller decks and forward-deployed bases. Unlike the F-35A, the B variant features a shaft-driven lift fan behind the cockpit and a rotating rear nozzle for vertical thrust, allowing it to take off and land in tight spaces.
