Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has approved a proposal to ease limitations on the military use of weapons against unmanned aircraft that violate Japanese airspace.
The proposal, which was put forward by the Ministry of Defense on Thursday, would allow Japan’s Self-Defense Force (SDF) to shoot down foreign balloons and drones to protect the lives of citizens.
Currently, SDF law allows “necessary measures” to be taken against foreign aircraft that invade Japan’s airspace, but the use of weapons is only allowed in cases of legitimate self-defense or an act of necessity.
The proposed policy would permit the use of weapons against drones and balloons that pose a hazard to civil air traffic, even if doing so does not constitute legitimate self-defense, The Yomiuri Shimbun reported….