TOKIO — The head of defense of Japan called on Friday to strengthen the country’s anti-drone capability after a video filmed by a drone and posted on Chinese social media showed a Japanese aircraft carrier in a restricted Navy port west of Tokyo.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara described the incident as a serious threat to the security.
Kihara’s recognition of the vulnerability comes more than a month after drone video showed the JS Izumo, one of Japan’s two helicopter carriers, being re-equipped to carry stealth fighters to strengthen the country’s capability. Japan’s counterattack against China’s assertive military actions in the Indo-Pacific region.
The video, which also shows plants, buildings and other facilities at the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force naval base in Yokosuka, was posted in March on a Chinese social network, prompting an investigation by ministry officials. The video has also been published on other platforms, such as X.
“After analyzing the video, we have come to the conclusion that, most likely, it was filmed by a drone from the air,” Kihara told reporters.
“We are taking these findings extremely seriously,” the minister added. “If drones damage defense facilities, it could cause serious disruption to our country’s defense.”
Kihara declined to comment on how the drone was able to fly over the vessel undetected, citing security reasons.. But he emphasized the need to respond to the rapid technological advancement of drones and other unmanned vehicles. He also promised to strengthen defense around military bases.
He noted that Japan will accelerate its efforts to integrate equipment with more anti-drone capabilities and strengthen defense measures, such as forcing drones to land by jamming their systems.
Source: With information from AP
