Japan says objects flying in airspace could be Chinese spy balloons

Tokyo:

A fresh analysis of unidentified aerial objects that have “convincingly” flown over Japan’s airspace in recent years were Chinese spy balloons, according to Tokyo’s defense ministry.

“After further analysis of distinctive balloon-shaped flying objects identified in Japanese airspace in November 2019, June 2020 and September 2021, we conclude that the balloons are believed to be unmanned reconnaissance balloons flown by China, Defense Ministry said in a statement late on Tuesday.

It said it had “firmly demanded that the Chinese government verify the facts of the incident” and “prevent such a situation from happening again in the future.”

It added, “Violation of airspace by foreign unmanned reconnaissance balloons and other means is totally unacceptable.”

Japan said last week it was re-analyzing a series of incidents involving unidentified aerial objects in light of a Chinese spy balloon shot down by the United States after crossing US territory.

In the wake of the incident, the US military adjusted radar settings to detect smaller objects and discovered three more unidentified craft, which President Joe Biden ordered shot down – one over Alaska, another over Canada and a third Michigan over Lake Huron.

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