Japan’s Defense Ministry said three objects spotted in its airspace between 2019 and 2021 were probably Chinese surveillance balloons, giving its most definitive assessment for the previously unidentified items.
The government has sought confirmation from China and urged that there be no recurrence of such incidents, the ministry said on its website late Tuesday. Such airspace incursions, which occurred in November 2019, June 2020 and September 2021, are “totally unacceptable,” it added.
“Even if it’s a balloon, entering our airspace without permission is a territorial violation and the MOD will continue to gather more information and be on the alert for balloons,” the ministry said.
