Chinese military drone flies near Japanese islands, prompting Tokyo to scramble fighter jets

Unmanned aerial vehicle, thought to be a WZ-7 Soaring Dragon, circles past Okinawa and Miyakojima, according to Japan’s defence ministry

PLA drone operations likely a response to Tokyo’s new defence strategy and closer ties with Washington, observers say

Reading Time:2 minutes

Tokyo said Sunday’s drone sighting was the first time a WZ-7 Soaring Dragon was spotted near the country. Photo: Japanese defence ministry

Published: 8:00pm, 2 Jan 2023

The Japanese defence ministry said it spotted a Chinese military drone flying over waters between the islands of Okinawa and Miyakojima in southwestern Japan on New Year’s Day.

The unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, which Tokyo identified as a WZ-7 drone, flew from the East China Sea, passing between the Japanese islands on its way towards the Pacific Ocean, then circled back via the same route as it headed west, the ministry said on Sunday.

While the drone did not enter Japanese airspace, Japan’s Air Self-Defence Force scrambled its fighter jets in response.

“It was the first sighting of that type of drone around Japan … [and] it is the fourth type of Chinese military drone ever spotted,” Japanese defence ministry officials were quoted as saying by NHK.

The ministry added that it would continue patrolling and surveillance as it was believed the Chinese military could be using drones in an effort to increase its operational capabilities.

Tokyo’s ties with Beijing faltered last year amid differences over Taiwan and disputes in the East China Sea, which is home to the disputed Diaoyu Islands, known as the Senkakus in Japan. The uninhabited islands are administered by Tokyo and claimed by Beijing.

The PLA’s WZ-7 high-altitude reconnaissance drone was unveiled at China’s biggest air show in September 2021. Photo: Weibo

Last month, the Chinese navy’s Liaoning aircraft carrier, along with two destroyers and a frigate, conducted a series of military drills near Okinawa. Around 180 carrier-based fighter jets and helicopters took off and landed on the carrier during the exercises.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x