China-Japan Security Pulse

China-Russia fleet circumnavigation of Japan

China-Russia fleet circumnavigation of Japan

The China-Russia naval fleet, which conducted live-fire drills in Japan's claimed EEZ near Okinotori on July 19-20, has moved east of Iwo Jima, passed Tokyo Bay, and is now near Hokkaido, potentially completing a full circumnavigation of Japan. Japan protests and links to SCS clashes; US Rubio says China is 'specifically targeting' Japan.

Sources (2)
Updated Jul 28, 2026