American strategic bombers trained alongside Japanese aircraft in what Washington and Tokyo described as a demonstration of their resolve following recent military tensions between Japan and China this week. Two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress joined Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15J and F-35A fighter jets over the Sea of Japan yesterday for a series of tactical exercises. According to the Joint Staff Office, the drills “strengthens the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance.” Japan’s Ministry of Defense further noted that the bomber exercise comes “amid an increasingly severe security environment surrounding our country.” It has been a