Japan confirms fighter jets were launched after Russian patrol planes entered the airspace over the Sea of Japan where the US-Japan joint military mernerver is underway.

Japan says the airplanes interrupted a US-Japan military drill in the region, heightening tensions in a territorial dispute between Tokyo and Moscow. P

Russia's incursion caused a temporary halt to US-Japan military exercises.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary says Russia's action prompted fighter planes from the US and Japan to scramble.

Yoshito Sengoku, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, said, "It is fact as part of the continuing Japan-US joint exercises, there was a training exercise in the Sea of Japan. It is also a fact fighter jets were launched after Russian planes were detected over the Sea of Japan near Japan's Noto Peninsula."

Ties between Japan and Russia have been strained since Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit in November to one of four islands claimed by both countries.

US-Japan military exercise will continue till December 10th. The drills come amid heightened tensions in the region after fire exchanges between the DPRK and South Korea.

Amidst increased regional tensions, Japan is making use of the situation to update its National Defense Program Guideline.

Jun Azumi, Japan's Vice Defence Minister, said, "In the new defense program, we mapped out the importance of our armed forces mobility for the first time. We hope to improve our military mobility to boost Japan's defense capability."

But a Russian military source says the flights were not meant as a provocation. Russia claims the airplanes were part of the framework of regular military training activity.

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