A Japanese F-15J allegedly buzzing a Chinese Tu-154 in June.

Japan Intercepted Record Number of Chinese and Russian Military Aircraft -- USNI

Japan intercepted a record number of Russian and Chinese aircraft close to its territorial waters over the past six months.

The country’s military flew 533 intercepts during the first half of fiscal year 2014, according to a Jane’s Defence Weekly report. Compared to that same period in 2013, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), as the Japanese air force is known, flew 308 sorties.

The increasing number of intercepts is part of a growing trend. The JASDF has flown an increasing number of air intercepts since 2011. In fiscal year 2011, there were 425 intercepts, 567 in 2012 and 810 in 2013. If the trend continues, the number of intercepts could rise to Cold War-era levels.

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My Comment: Russia is testing Japan's new air defenses, and China is now feeling confident to stake it's territorial claims over Japanese objections.