Six Russian aircraft seen close to Japanese airspace forced fighter jets to be scrambled today.
Japanese defence forces first reacted after two Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers were seen close to the Pacific Ocean.
Soon afterwards two Russian Ilyushin Il-38 fighter jets were sent out to Hokkaido, which is Japan's most northern island, NHK reported.
The same day two anti-submarine aircraft, the Tupolev Tu-142 were deployed by Russia to the Sea of Japan, while two aircraft, believed to be the fighter jets, made a u-turn close to Tokyo after crossing the Pacific Ocean, the Daily Mail reported.
They then returned to Russian territory, it has been reported, and the Japanese military said the aircraft did not trespass into its territory.
