Asia 769
Narrative: Two Soviet bombers violated Japanese airspace. Japan scrambled fighters
in response.
MID#2727
Dispute Number: 2727
Date(s): May 20, 1978 to October 2, 1979
Participants: 365 Russia/740 Japan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: The Soviet Union began building up its military and naval forces in the
Pacific in 1978. Then, on May 20, 1978, they began military maneuvers on Etorufu,
one of the Kuril Islands, which had been held by the Soviets since World War II but
were also claimed by Japan. The Soviets stated that their forces would be conducting
shooting practice on June 5–11 and that the waters would be unsafe. Japan protested
the maneuvers on June 7, said they would endanger Japanese fisherman, violate inter-
national law, and were aimed at the Japanese in an attempt to show the dominance of
Soviet influence in the area. On November 9, US authorities reported that the Soviets
were increasing its Pacific Fleet—10,000–12,000 Soviet troops were stationed on
Shikotan, a Kuril island, by September 26. Additional Soviet troops had already been
stationed on two other islands, Etorofu and Kunashiri, and all three islands had anti-
aircraft missiles and attack helicopters. The Japanese lodged a complaint on October
2, but the Soviets rejected the protest.
MID#2976
Dispute Number: 2976
Date(s): April 3, 1982
Participants: 365 Russia/740 Japan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Japanese fighters intercepted a Soviet transport plane that violated Japa-
nese airspace while returning from Vietnam.
MID#2229
Dispute Number: 2229
Date(s): June 23, 1982 to January 24, 1983
Participants: 365 Russia/2 United States of America, 740 Japan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: In early 1982 the Soviets stationed modern fighter jets on the Japanese-
disputed islands of Kushenari and Etorofu. On September 30, 1982, the US State
Department announced that the Americans would deploy F-16 fighter-bombers on the
Japanese Island of Honshu.