Chinese military drones spotted near Okinawa
![](https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/9860531.jpg)
A Chinese military drone is seen near Okinawa Prefecture on July 25.
14:34 JST, August 5, 2022
Two Chinese military drones flew near the Sakishima Islands in Okinawa Prefecture on Thursday, the Japanese Defense Ministry said Friday.
The drones are believed to be part of a large-scale military exercise that Beijing is conducting in the seas and skies around Taiwan.
Japan scrambled Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets in response, though there was no incursion into Japanese airspace.
According to the ministry, a reconnaissance drone and a surveillance-attack drone flew from the East China Sea on Thursday morning.
The two drones traveled a nearly identical route, though at different times. They moved southward between the main island of Okinawa and Miyakojima island, over the Pacific Ocean then circled south of the Sakishima Islands. They subsequently headed back to the East China Sea on Thursday night, taking the same route.
Separately, a different drone believed to belong to the Chinese military was spotted circling over waters off northeastern Taiwan on Thursday.
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japan Ministry Concerned Over Same-Sex Couple Receiving City-Issued Resident Certificates Referring to ‘Common-Law Husband’
-
Japan Govt Predicts China’s Forces Could Land on Taiwan Within 1 Week of Enforcing Blockade; Drills Conducted in 2023 Analyzed
-
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike Wins Third Straight Term; Voters Respond to Achievements in Child Care, Education
-
Incumbent Tokyo Governor Leads as Election Day Approaches; 20% of Survey Respondents Still Undecided
-
Japan, U.S. to Compile Joint Document on Extended Deterrence; Foreign, Defense Ministers to Hold Talks
JN ACCESS RANKING