Japan says scrambled jets after Russian intrusion into air space

TOKYO (Reuters) - Two Russian fighter jets briefly entered Japan's air space near the northern island of Hokkaido on Thursday, prompting Japan to scramble combat fighters and lodge a protest, Japan's Foreign Ministry said.
The alleged intrusion came on Japan's "Northern Territories Day", when rallies are traditionally held calling for the return of disputed islands off Hokkaido.
(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Nick Macfie)