Regarding the response to China's reconnaissance balloon, the Ministry of Defense is preparing for the possibility of intrusion into Japan's airspace in the future. showed a policy to review the rules of
According to international law, balloons are classified as aircraft, and if a foreign balloon invades Japan's airspace without permission, the Self-Defense Forces Act can take necessary measures as an infringement of Japanese airspace, and Defense Minister Hamada may shoot it down. It shows an idea that does not exclude.
At a meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party held on the morning of the 15th, the Ministry of Defense announced that it was strongly presumed that a balloon-shaped flying object sighted over Japan on the 14th was a Chinese reconnaissance balloon. There were many opinions such as "We should do it" and "We should consider using weapons against drones."
In response to this, the Ministry of Defense announced a policy to review the rules on the use of weapons, which are currently limited to self-defense and emergency evacuation as a measure against infringement of Japan's airspace, in preparation for future intrusion into Japan's airspace. I was.
Based on the policy of the Ministry of Defense, the Liberal Democratic Party will discuss how to use weapons for Chinese reconnaissance balloons in the future.
Issues facing Japan, the United States, and China
Foreign Ministry Vice-Minister Mori held talks with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Sherman, received an explanation about the shooting down of a Chinese balloon by U.S. forces, and responded to various issues related to China in close cooperation. We agreed to go.
The meeting between Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Mori and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Sherman took place in Washington in the early hours of the 15th, Japan time, for about an hour.
In it, Deputy Sherman said that the recent shooting down of a Chinese balloon by US forces over the southern coast of South Carolina was dealt with carefully and lawfully in order to protect its sovereignty and the safety of its people. I explained.
In response, Vice-Minister Mori said that he supported the position of the United States, and that the Ministry of Defense announced that the balloon-shaped flying object that was sighted over Japan in the past was presumed to be a Chinese reconnaissance balloon. With that in mind, I conveyed my recognition that it is important for China to fulfill its full accountability.
The two leaders agreed to work closely together to address various issues related to China.
In addition, regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it was agreed that the international community, including the G7 = seven major countries, would continue to impose sanctions on Russia and continue to support Ukraine. We confirmed once again that we will work closely together.