​​​​​​​ISTANBUL

Tokyo on Monday lodged a protest with Moscow after alleged violations of Japanese airspace by a Russian military plane.

An IL-38 military plane violated Japanese airspace three times off the coast of northernmost Hokkaido island, the country's Defense Ministry said.

Japan mobilized its military jets which fired "signal flares" for the first time ever against the alleged intruding Russian plane, it added.

The incident happened between 1:00 p.m. (0400GMT) and 3:00 p.m. (0600GMT).

Tokyo said it lodged a "stern" protest with Moscow over the alleged violations.

There was no immediate comment from the Russian side.

Notably, Russia and China on Saturday began their joint naval military exercise in the Sea of Japan.

The drill – Beibu/Interaction – 2024 – will last one week and the servicemen of the two countries will train in repelling an attack by a simulated enemy from the air, water and underwater environment, as well as maneuvering.

Japan's Defense Ministry said it spotted four Chinese military vessels and four Russian ships off the coast of Hokkaido.