Japan’s Defense Security: Following the posting of a drone video on Chinese social media, which revealed a Japanese aircraft carrier parked at a restricted navy port west of Tokyo, the Japanese defence minister on Friday demanded the strengthening of its anti-drone capability. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara described it as a major security concern.
More than a month after a drone-filmed video revealed JS Izumo, one of two Japanese helicopter carriers, being modified to carry stealth fighters to increase Japan’s defence security counter-strike capability in the face of China’s aggressive military activities in the Indo-Pacific, Kihara acknowledged the vulnerability.
Ministry authorities launched an inquiry after the video, which also included plants, buildings, and other facilities at the Yokosuka naval base of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, was uploaded on a Chinese social media platform in March. X and other sites have also featured the video.
“After the video analysis we have reached a conclusion that the footage was most likely filmed by a flying drone,” Kihara said reporters.
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“We are taking the findings extremely seriously,” the minister added. “If drones harm defence facilities, it could cause serious disruptions to the defence of our country.”
As per APNews reports, citing security concerns, Kihara declined to elaborate on how the drone managed to fly over the flattop unnoticed. But he underlined the need to react to the quick technological progress of drones and other unmanned vehicles. He promised to reinforce defences surrounding military installations as well.
According to him, Japan would step up efforts to develop stronger countermeasures, including forcing drones to land by jamming and installing more powerful anti-drone equipment.
With the current security plan approved in 2022, Japan is quickening its military buildup to concentrate on its long-range missile counterstrike capacity. In such an approach, JS Izumo plays a crucial part.
Drones and their potential use in terrorist acts were raised in 2015 after a tiny drone with radioactive traces was discovered on the prime minister’s office roof. Though no one was hurt or anything was damaged in the incident, its owner was found guilty of obstructing business.
