Japan’s ruling parties agree to proposal to shot down balloons, drones

Japan’s Ministry of Defense has proposed a relaxation of the self-defense force’s weapons use policy in response to the threat of foreign drones and balloons violating Japanese airspace. The country’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito Party have agreed to the proposal, which would allow for the use of weapons against drones and balloons that obstruct the safe flight of aircraft, even if such action doesn’t qualify as legitimate self-defense. The lawmakers were briefed on the proposal on Feb. 16 and approved the idea on the same day.

Chinese surveillance balloon over Billings, MT
Chase Doak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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