Japan's Defense Ministry said Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets scrambled 704 times in fiscal 2024 through the end of March, up 35 from a year earlier.

Officials said Chinese aircraft accounted for about 66 percent of the total, with a Chinese military plane violating Japan's airspace for the first time ever in August 2024.

Around 34 percent was Russian planes, with Japan sending its first warning signs using flares that emit strong light and heat against a military plane from Russia in September.

Officials said Chinese military aircraft included 30 drones, up from 10 in fiscal 2022 and nine in fiscal 2023.

General Yoshida Yoshihide, chief of staff of the Self-Defense Forces Joint Staff, said the two countries have likely transitioned from making trial flights to operational ones.