Official military statements or verified news reports

Japan Investigates Drone Footage of MSDF Ship, USS Ronald Reagan at Yokosuka Base

May 9, 2024, 10:16 AM

The Japanese Defense Ministry is investigating a series of incidents involving unauthorized drone activities over military vessels at Yokosuka Naval Base. A video, suspected to be taken by a drone, shows a Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) ship and has raised security concerns. Additionally, there was an unconfirmed report of a drone, possibly launched by a Chinese citizen, flying over the USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered supercarrier. These incidents have been described by a former defense minister as constituting a 'serious security problem,' especially given that the footage of the MSDF ship was taken in restricted airspace and circulated online.