Japan—a key United States security ally—tracked Russian and Chinese spy ships sailing near its coastline, as Moscow and Beijing flexed their naval power through joint maneuvers.

Newsweek has contacted the Russian and Chinese foreign ministries for comment via email.

Why It Matters

Japan is part of a north-south island chain —along with Taiwan and the Philippines—in the Western Pacific, under a U.S. containment strategy that aims to restrict the military activities of Washington's adversaries, namely Russia and its quasi-ally China , in the event of war.

Under their strategic partnership "without limitations," Russia and China have deepened military ties to challenge America's dominance in the Indo-Pacific. Earlier this month, the navies of both countries conducted a war game

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