Tokyo is considering revising its procedures for dealing with flying objects illegally in its airspace to make it easier to destroy them, Japanese media reported today.
According to an analysis presented by the Japanese government, there are “strong” indications that unidentified flying objects spotted in Japan’s airspace in recent years were Chinese spy balloons, Japan’s defense ministry said.
“After a more thorough investigation of balloon-like flying objects that have been spotted in Japanese airspace in the past — including those spotted in November 2019, June 2020 and September 2021 — we have concluded that there are strong indications these were unmanned reconnaissance balloons sent from China“, the ministry pointed out in a statement yesterday Tuesday.
Tokyo “strongly requested the Chinese government to confirm these events” and pledge that “such a situation will not be repeated in the future”.
“Violations of airspace by foreign unmanned reconnaissance balloons and other means are completely unacceptable,” Japan’s defense ministry said.
Tokyo is now considering revising its procedures for dealing with flying objects illegally in its airspace to make it easier to destroy them, Japanese media reported today.
Until now, these objects could only be shot down with weapons if they posed an immediate and clear threat, the Kyodo news agency reported.
“I think this issue raises concerns about a potentially huge gap in Japan’s defense,” said ruling party security chief and former defense minister Itsunori Onodera.
Japan announced last week that it was reviewing a series of incidents involving unidentified flying objects following the downing of a Chinese balloon by the US in early February.
Source :Skai
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