A video allegedly recorded by a Chinese drone flying over Japan’s largest warship since World War II, JS Izumo, has been circulating on social media platforms in China and other countries, leading the Japanese Defense Ministry and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to launch an official investigation into its authenticity.
The 19-second video and photos of JS Izumo were posted on the video-sharing platform bilibili on March 26 by a user with a Chinese name who claimed they were taken by a drone at the JMSDF Yokosuka Base in Kanagawa Prefecture, home to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet.
While the footage has been removed from bilibili, it has been shared on other social media platforms such as X (formerly known as Twitter).
Flying drones over SDF-related facilities and their surroundings, like the Yokosuka base, is illegal in Japan. Violators could face imprisonment or fines.
There are concerns about safety around military bases in Japan following the video’s release.
Officials are investigating the authenticity of the video, with Defense Minister Kihara Minoru suggesting it could be fake during a press conference.
Admiral Sakai Ryo stated that they are looking into whether the video was taken by a drone or fabricated.
While there are doubts about the footage’s authenticity, steps are being taken to ensure base security.
Speculation also surrounds the user who posted images of JS Izumo and USS Ronald Reagan, with suggestions that they may be the same person who flew a drone into North Korea.
Regardless of the authenticity of the footage, it is crucial for authorities to conduct thorough investigations and take necessary actions to prevent similar incidents in the future.