Japan has reported increased Chinese military activity coinciding with the start of joint “Keen Sword” war games between Tokyo and Washington. The drills are specifically focused on simulating a potential contingency involving Taiwan. Japanese forces detected People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, including reconnaissance planes and drones, traversing international airspace between Japanese islands and heading towards mainland China. Notably, China has also deployed warships, including a supply ship potentially supporting the *Liaoning* aircraft carrier, near the exercise area. Japan scrambled fighter jets in response to the PLA aircraft’s movements. This heightened monitoring by China suggests sensitivity around the joint exercises and the focus on Taiwan, raising regional security concerns. The drills demonstrate a strengthened alliance between Japan and the United States in the face of growing Chinese military power.