A Chinese spy balloon that was shot down after invading U.S. airspace.

(AFP file photo)

Kishida: Strongly urge China not to do it again

[Compile Zhang Peiyuan/Comprehensive Report] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated on the 15th that he had asked China through diplomatic channels not to let reconnaissance balloons float over Japan, and emphasized that it would never accept airspace violations; The meeting of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said that it is considering relaxing relevant regulations so that Japan can use weapons to shoot down flying objects such as balloons that violate its airspace to ensure the safety of air routes when its airspace is violated.

Xueman's Deputy Foreign Minister Criticizes China's Violation of International Law

Kishida made the above statement at a meeting of the House of Representatives Budget Committee.

Kishida said that regarding the Chinese balloon flying over Japan, he has strongly urged the Chinese government through diplomatic channels that similar incidents should not happen again, and that Japan absolutely does not accept that its airspace has been violated.

At the same time, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman held talks with visiting Japanese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kenyoshi Mori in Washington on the 14th. In addition to discussing North Korea, the Indo-Pacific and U.S.-Japan cooperation, the two sides also mentioned "Chinese The provocative actions of the People's Republic, including the presence of the People's Republic of China's surveillance balloons over Japan and the United States in recent years, (the two) agree that such overflights violate sovereignty and violate international law."

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Consider loosening rules to allow use of force if violated

The Ministry of Defense of Japan pointed out on the evening of the 14th that there are "strong suspicions" of the spherical sky over Kagoshima Prefecture in November 2019, Miyagi Prefecture in June 2020, and Aomori Prefecture in September 2019. The flying object is an unmanned reconnaissance balloon from China.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroichi Matsuno also expressed similar views at a press conference on the 15th, but he refused to elaborate on the analysis and deduction process. In addition, Matsuno also said that Japan will work with its allied partners to discuss the invasion of foreign reconnaissance balloons. Airspace intelligence collection and security monitoring.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasuichi Hamada was asked on the 15th how he would respond if the balloon invaded the airspace again, and said that he would conduct a review.

On the same day, Japanese media said that the Ministry of Defense of Japan pointed out at a joint meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Ministry of National Defense that it would consider relaxing the regulations so that it could follow the example of the United States in shooting down balloons that invaded its airspace.

Article 84 of the Self-Defense Forces Act stipulates that when foreign aircraft invade the airspace, the Self-Defense Forces may take "necessary measures" to urge them to land or leave.

The past interpretation of the Japanese government is that "force can only be used in legitimate defense and emergency evacuation."

According to the current regulations, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces can only shoot down aircraft that intrude into its airspace based on self-defense. However, foreign aircraft that violate Japanese airspace without permission are considered a violation of international law. Amend laws to take countermeasures.

Kyodo News reported that the Japanese government had previously only envisaged manned aircraft on the issue of the use of weapons, but the use of drones in the military field has become increasingly frequent. The Japanese government believes that it is necessary to relax the regulations. In addition to the two conditions of legitimate defense and emergency refuge, plus Ensuring the safety of air routes will also include the impact on the flight path of civil aircraft.