Japan Ministry of Defense: "China and Russia Conduct Joint Training with Machine Gun Fire in Waters off Hokkaido"

On the 4th, a Russian warship firing machine guns off the western coast of Hokkaido, Japan
[Image source=Japan Ministry of Defense]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Japanese Ministry of Defense announced that six naval vessels from Russia and China conducted joint training involving machine gun firing in international waters west of Hokkaido, Japan. Amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the intensifying international sanctions against Russia, it is interpreted that Russia and China showcased their close relationship and conducted joint exercises to militarily pressure the United States and Japan.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense on the 5th, the previous day, three Russian frigates and three Chinese destroyers conducted joint training involving machine gun firing about 190 km west of Cape Kamui, Hokkaido, in international waters. The Ministry of Defense also released photos of the Russian ships firing machine guns.

The six Russian and Chinese warships then moved northeast from waters about 50 km west of Rebun Island, Hokkaido, passing through the Soya Strait and exiting into the Sea of Okhotsk on the 4th. This joint training appears to be part of the 'Vostok 2022' exercise conducted by the Russian military in the Far East region from the 1st to the 7th. The exercise is taking place across seven training grounds in the Eastern Military District of Russia, as well as in the East Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk maritime and coastal areas.

[Image source= Japan Ministry of Defense]

The Japanese government formally protested to Russia, and the Japan Coast Guard issued a navigation warning in advance. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the joint firing exercise by both countries, stating, "We absolutely cannot accept actions that do not align with Japan's position on the Northern Territories."

However, it is reported that the vessels from both countries did not violate Japanese territorial waters. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force explained, "Escort ships and patrol aircraft are conducting government intelligence gathering and surveillance, and so far, there has been no intrusion into Japanese territorial waters."

This joint firing exercise is interpreted as a move to demonstrate strengthened military cooperation between Russia and China following the invasion of Ukraine. In May, Russian and Chinese military aircraft also entered the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) as part of joint training exercises.