Sea of Japan

Source: BS

Context: Two U.S. B-52 nuclear-capable bombers conducted joint drills with Japanese F-35 and F-15 jets over the Sea of Japan, marking Washington’s first show of force after China–Russia bomber and naval exercises near Japan and South Korea.

About Sea of Japan:

• What it is? The Sea of Japan is a major marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, characterised by a deep, semi-enclosed basin with restricted water exchange through narrow straits.

• The Sea of Japan is a major marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, characterised by a deep, semi-enclosed basin with restricted water exchange through narrow straits.

• Location: It lies between Japan and Sakhalin Island to the east, and Russia and the Korean Peninsula to the west, covering about 978,000 sq. km with a mean depth of 1,752 m.

• Neighbouring Nations:

• Japan (to the east) Russia (to the north & northwest) North Korea & South Korea (to the west/southwest)

• Japan (to the east)

• Russia (to the north & northwest)

• North Korea & South Korea (to the west/southwest)

• Physiographic Features:

• Almost elliptical, oriented southwest–northeast. Connected to adjacent seas via the Korea Strait, Tsushima Strait, Tsugaru Strait, La Perouse Strait, and Kanmon Strait. Divided into Japan Basin (north), Yamato Basin (southeast), and Tsushima Basin (southwest). Japanese side has wider continental shelves, ridges and banks (e.g., Sado Ridge, Oki Ridge, Hakusan Banks).

• Almost elliptical, oriented southwest–northeast.

• Connected to adjacent seas via the Korea Strait, Tsushima Strait, Tsugaru Strait, La Perouse Strait, and Kanmon Strait.

• Divided into Japan Basin (north), Yamato Basin (southeast), and Tsushima Basin (southwest).

• Japanese side has wider continental shelves, ridges and banks (e.g., Sado Ridge, Oki Ridge, Hakusan Banks).

Japan Border Issues with China and Russia:

• China – East China Sea Disputes:

• The core flashpoint is the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, controlled by Japan but claimed by China.

• Russia – Northern Territories/Kuril Islands Issue:

• Japan claims the Southern Kurils (Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, Habomai), calling them the Northern Territories.