Japan scrambled its Air Self-Defense Force 810 times in fiscal 2013. Scrambles against Chinese planes hit a record.

Officials say scrambles were up more than 240 from the previous year.

They say it’s the first time Japanese fighters have scrambled more than 800 times since the Cold War.

Scrambles against Chinese planes reached 415 as tensions rose over the contested Senkaku islands in the East China Sea.

Japan says China didn’t infringe on its airspace. But it says Chinese planes are expanding their field of activity. A Chinese drone was confirmed for the first time.

After China the next highest number of scrambles was against Russian planes.