The four units of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, owned by the Tokyo Electric Power Co, or Tepco, were gravely damaged in the 9.0 March 11 earthquake and resulting tsunami that took the lives of more than 10, 000 people and has the northern part of Japan, and its neighbors China and Russia, on high alert for nuclear radiation leaks.

FORBES: Latest Japan Quake Not a Problem for Nukes, But Fukushima "Very Serious"

While Japan has been focused on its territorial dispute with China, Thursday's scramble against Russia was a reminder that the northern part of the Sea of Japan facing Russia can be as tense as the East China Sea to the south.

WSJ: Japan: Russian Fighter Jets Enter Its Airspace

China rolls out the welcome mat on its soil, for example recently inviting Arab leaders to Yinchuan, in northern-central part of the country, for the 3rd China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum.

CNN: Middle East and China forge ties over oil

Both China and India already have polar research stations in the northern part of Norway, as do most of the other observer nations.

CNN: China eyes Arctic options in energy, transport

In the undefined northern part of the frontier India claims an area the size of Switzerland, occupied by China, for its region of Ladakh.

ECONOMIST: India and China