Chinese military's ballistic missile drop Minister of Defense Kishi "Watch trends and take all possible measures"

In response to the fact that a ballistic missile launched by China during a military exercise on the 4th fell inside Japan's EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), Defense Minister Kishi announced that during the exercise period until the 7th, warning surveillance and information gathering will be carried out. Continuing, he showed his intention to take all possible measures to respond.

On the 4th, the Chinese military launched ballistic missiles toward the waters surrounding Taiwan, some of which are believed to have fallen inside Japan's EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone).

Regarding this, Defense Minister Kishi said at a press conference after the cabinet meeting, "The Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces will continue to monitor and monitor the movements of the Chinese military in the waters and airspace around Japan, and will continue to monitor the situation and respond. I want to be safe," he said.

Concerning China's intentions, Minister Kishi said, "I cannot say categorically what China's intentions are. I can say that I let it fall to the ground."

On the other hand, Minister Kishi said that after two Chinese military drones flew over the area between the main island of Okinawa and Miyako Island yesterday, they flew over the training area set up around Taiwan by China, saying, It is possible that it is related.We will continue to pay close attention to the trends of the Chinese military, which is becoming more active, and take all possible measures."

Former Defense Minister Onodera "Counterattack ability as soon as possible as a policy as the government"

Former Minister of Defense Onodera, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's security investigation committee, said at a party meeting, "China is finally launching a ballistic missile into our EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) even though we are not doing anything. The people, including those on Yonaguni Island, are very worried. I want the government to decide on a policy as soon as possible to maintain a solid defense force, especially the ability to counterattack, and to develop it.” .

Former Maritime Self-Defense Force Commander ``Missile is not the latest model''

A former Maritime Self-Defense Force commander said China's launch of a ballistic missile on the 4th was intended to convey anger to the United States over the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. He points out that it is not the latest model, and that consideration has been given to avoid excessive stimulation of the United States.

Former Marine Admiral Yoji Koda, who served as commander of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, commented on China's launch of ballistic missiles, saying, ``Even if the situation becomes tense, the response of concentrating nearly 10 missiles on the other side is a war. In that sense, China tried to convey the government's position and anger to the United States, and the United States fully understands that China has taken very strict measures this time. I think they are," he said, pointing out that the intention was to convey to the United States his anger at House Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

Regarding the missile launched this time, "Judging from its appearance, it seems to be a ``Dongfeng 15.'' It was also the missile that was launched during the so-called ``Taiwan Strait Crisis'' in 1996, and because it has been used so much, the accuracy of the impact point is known, and it was not intended. In that sense, it seems that the missile was launched while taking safety measures, and since it is not the latest model, it can be said that it struck a stone bridge." I'm here.

In addition, regarding the fact that part of the missile is believed to have fallen into Japan's EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), he said, ``In recent years, in response to the strong support for Taiwan, which has become noticeable within Japan, there is a ``playing with fire. If you do, you will be in big trouble.”However, China understands that putting too much pressure on Japan will worsen feelings toward China, and conversely, the relationship between Japan and the United States will become even closer. "Even if we can boost our activities locally, we cannot think of launching ballistic missiles at Japan."

U.S. Kadena Air Base Reconnaissance Plane "Cobra Ball" Takes Off Today

At the US military Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, the RC135S reconnaissance aircraft equipped with the function of collecting information on ballistic missiles, commonly known as "Cobra Ball", took off at 10:40 am on the 5th following the 4th.

According to the website Flight Radar 24, which publishes information transmitted by aircraft, it is flying south of Taiwan and may be on alert and monitoring for Chinese ballistic missile launches.

Shock spreads in Okinawa Yonaguni Island

On the afternoon of the 4th, six ballistic missiles launched by China fell into the training waters around Okinawa Prefecture, five of them inside Japan's EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) southwest of Hateruma Island, and one in Yonaguni. It is estimated to have fallen north-northwest of the island.

The shock spread to Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture.

A woman living on the island said, ``I can only feel scared.

Also, a female staff member of the guest house said, "I thought it was only about China and Taiwan, but I didn't expect it to be coming to Japan."

The fishermen's cooperative association in Yonaguni Island, Okinawa Prefecture, held an extraordinary board meeting on the 5th.

Among them, information from the Ministry of Defense was reported that the missile that fell in the waters southeast of Yonaguni Island on the 4th passed over the west side of the island.

From the participants of the meeting, "Until yesterday, I thought it was a naval training exercise, but it's an exercise to land in this sea area," or "If the missile causes trouble on the way, there is a possibility that it will fall during the flight. There were voices of anxiety, such as "Isn't it?", and voices of confusion, such as "I received information from the government, but I have to make a decision on the spot whether I will go fishing or not."

The board of directors decided that the period of self-restraint for fishing would be until the 8th of this month, and that they would request the town to encourage the national and prefectural governments to take the necessary measures.

Shigenori Takunishi, head of the Yonaguni Fisheries Cooperative Association, said, "We were in a turmoil without knowing the situation, and I felt that sharing information in the event of a situation like this would be an issue for the future. I understand that it is a problem, but as a fishery cooperative, we would like to seek a situation where we can operate safely."

Okinawa Governor Tamaki strongly protests "extremely regrettable"

Governor Tamaki of Okinawa Prefecture told reporters in Naha on the 5th that no human casualties had been confirmed, and that China would drop missiles around the islands where Okinawan residents live. I have to say that it is extremely regrettable that this happened. It is absolutely unacceptable to be unable to fish because you feel that you are in danger."

On top of that, he said, "We absolutely must not allow this tension to escalate. We will maintain a calm diplomacy, and we will continue to work together to build relationships of trust through dialogue. It should be done on the premise that it will not give the residents a bit of anxiety, ”he said, asking for a calm response.

He also said, "Since the training will continue, I would like the prefecture to work on the government to make a firm request to the Chinese government, 'Don't repeat the ballistic missile launch.'"