China and Russia alarm Japan with Navy drills south of Tokyo

Japan went on high alert earlier this week after numerous warships spotted south of Tokyo indicated an increased presence of Russian and Chinese forces near the country's territory.

Seven Russian warships were spotted moving southward off the coast of Japan's northmost island, Hokkaido, on Thursday and Friday, according to the Japan Times, passing by the uninhabited Izu Islands. Japan's Joint Staff confirmed that the foreign vessels were monitored by ships and aircraft from the Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Prior to Thursday, Russian warships had not been spotted near Japanese waters since October. At that time, a total of 10 vessels from Russia and China were spotted making their way around the country, raising alarms about the foreign countries operating near Japan.