US, Japan hold joint drills as China boosts military activity near Japan

• US and Japan held joint flight drills with B-52 bombers and F-35/F-15 jets near Japan's western airspace.
• The drills demonstrate military cooperation and reaffirm resolve against unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force.
• The exercise follows increased Chinese military activity, including joint Chinese-Russian bomber flights and radar-locking on Japanese jets.
• Tensions between Japan and China have escalated due to recent incidents and Japan's stance on Taiwan.

Why It Matters: US-Japan joint drills signal escalating regional tensions with China.