Government2023

Japan's ruling parties ease rules for downing intruding balloons

When: 16 Feb 2023
Where: Tokyo, Japan
Sources: 2 public sources

Japan's Defense Ministry in Tokyo, whose plan to relax the rules was approved in 2023 Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Japan's ruling LDP and Komeito approved a government plan on Feb. 16, 2023 to relax rules on using weapons against unmanned objects violating Japanese airspace. It followed the Defense Ministry's statement that objects seen in 2019-2021 were strongly suspected to be Chinese spy balloons.

Sources

PressJapan's ruling bloc OKs easing weapon use against flying objects (Kyodo) (opens in a new tab)ABS-CBN News (Kyodo) / 2023-02-16
PressJapan eyes eased rules for firing on aircraft violating airspace (opens in a new tab)The Japan Times / 2023-02-15

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Where it fits

Earlier in GovernmentBiden orders sharper rules for tracking unidentified aerial objects16 Feb 2023 Later in GovernmentAustralia says no Chinese balloons have flown over its territory17 Feb 2023

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