China, Russia exercises highlight holes in Japan's Pacific defenses

DefenseTokyo weighs more monitoring, deterrence in long-overlooked area with key sea lanesChina's firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile fueled concerns about Japan's defenses in the Pacific Ocean. (Xinhua via AP)RYO NEMOTOJuly 29, 2026 05:13 JSTTOKYO -- Recent military exercises by China and Russia near Japan have raised alarm in Tokyo about defensive gaps on the country's Pacific flank and spurred discussions about measures to bolster deterrence.Read NextOpinionA six-point plan to make the US-Japan alliance battle-readyDefenseJapan-Italy-UK fighter jet spurs interest from 10-plus countries at air showDefenseCanada in UK-Japan-Italy jet program as observer, paves way for othersDefenseJapan seeks stronger deterrence after China submarine missile launchInternational relationsJapan