Japan's Defense Ministry says Chinese and Russian strategic bombers carried out a joint flight over waters surrounding Japan.

The ministry says two Russian bombers and two Chinese bombers flew from the direction of China on Wednesday. The aircraft flew south above the East China Sea then traveled between the Okinawa main island and Miyakojima Island before reaching the Pacific Ocean.

The four bombers flew back to the East China Sea, taking the same route. They then took two separate routes toward the direction of their countries.

The ministry says the bombers were accompanied by a record number of aircraft during a joint flight, with 15 Chinese and two Russian fighter jets having been confirmed.

Japan scrambled Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets in response, but no intrusion into Japanese airspace took place.

The ministry confirmed a joint flight of Chinese and Russian bombers over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea on Tuesday.

This is the seventh time China and Russia have conducted a joint flight near Japan since July 2019, but the first time an aerial patrol has been conducted two days in a row.

The ministry says the joint flight is a clear sign of provocation toward Japan, and that it will convey Japan's grave concerns to both countries through diplomatic channels.

The ministry says it continues to be on the guard while monitoring for possible new moves.