Japan clears military to shoot down drones entering its airspace

Japan is taking a tougher stance against foreign drones as tensions escalate in East Asia’s skies. With Chinese unmanned aircraft operating more frequently near its southwestern islands, the Japanese government has authorized its military to shoot down drones that enter national airspace.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba approved the policy in late June. Under the new rules, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces may use force against unmanned aircraft regardless of whether they endanger human life. Lawmaker Jin Matsubara confirmed the decision in response to a written inquiry, following discussions in 2023 about expanding Japan’s defensive posture.

Why is Japan changing its drone engagement rules?

Japanese officials cite the growing presence of Chinese drones and other military aircraft near its southwestern islands. In fiscal year 2024, which ended in March, Japan scrambled fighter jets 704 times to intercept Chinese and Russian aircraft. According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, that included 30 Chinese drones operating within its air defense identification zone (ADIZ), a buffer area where foreign aircraft are monitored but not necessarily in national airspace. Since April, Japan has intercepted at least 11 Chinese drones. Many of those flights matched movements reported in Taiwan’s ADIZ, indicating a pattern of activity across the region.

What Chinese military activity has occurred recently?

In late June and early July, Japan tracked a Chinese spy ship, a Y-9 patrol aircraft and several reconnaissance drones moving through the Miyako Strait near Okinawa. On July 2, Japan scrambled jets after two Chinese drones transited between Taiwan and Japan’s Yonaguni Island.

Though none of the drones entered Japan’s sovereign airspace, repeated incursions into its defense zones triggered the policy change.

What’s next for Japan’s drone defenses?

Japan is developing ground-based anti-drone systems, including directed-energy weapons. Its air force still relies on fighter aircraft and missiles to respond to aerial threats near its territory.