In recent days, a video circulating on Chinese social media has caused a stir among political circles in Japan. The footage appears to show a drone flying above the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s helicopter destroyer Izumo in the waters of Japan. The Japanese Ministry of Defense has acknowledged that the video is likely authentic. However, Japan prohibits drones from flying near Self-Defense Force facilities without permission.
According to various media reports, on March 26th of this year, a video allegedly captured by a drone flying over the Izumo helicopter carrier stationed at the MSDF base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, was shared and spread on Chinese social media platforms. The video was later disseminated on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
The video, lasting about 20 seconds, displayed text in the upper left corner indicating it was from the Chinese video-sharing website “bilibili.” It shows a drone approaching the rear of the Izumo ship, flying above the deck and conducting close-range filming of the vessel. The footage clearly captures scenes of the Yokosuka Air Base deck and structures.
Defense Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated in a press conference on April 2nd that the Defense Ministry is analyzing the video, including the possibility of it being manipulated or fabricated maliciously. However, due to the unclear origin of the video, the Defense Ministry will continue its detailed investigation.
On Wednesday, the X social media account that initially posted the Izumo video shared another video, this time allegedly showing the US Navy’s aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan. The footage depicted the central part of the deck and the radar area surrounded by a green mesh, indicating some form of maintenance. According to Yokosuka City officials, the Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier entered the Yokosuka naval base for replenishment and repairs in November last year and left on the 5th of this month.
The Defense Ministry’s analysis released on Thursday indicates a high likelihood that the video was authentic. At a joint meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Defense Committee and Security Research Committee held that day, the Defense Ministry reported on the situation. Attendees expressed strong views on security concerns at the base.
Chairman of the Security Research Committee, Itsunori Onodera, stated, “I believe the Defense Ministry and other relevant departments have been closely monitoring this area. However, despite that, such photos were actually taken. This is an important issue that deserves serious study and reflection. I hope the authorities will treat it as a significant security issue and handle it properly.”
A representative from the Defense Ministry mentioned that previously, Self-Defense Force officers would report suspicious individuals around the base to the police for handling. However, from now on, the Self-Defense Force will directly address these suspicious individuals.
The Defense Ministry stated it cannot confirm whether drone flights were detected, as this could reveal its security-related capabilities. Nevertheless, it will highly value the analysis results, as any harm caused by drones could severely impede Japan’s defense. It also expressed commitment to taking all possible security measures, including expediting the introduction of more advanced drone detection equipment.
The Izumo, measuring 248 meters in length, is the largest vessel in the Maritime Self-Defense Force fleet, equipped with a flight deck. In response to deteriorating security in Japan’s vicinity, such as China’s naval expansion into distant waters, the Abe administration revised defense guidelines at the end of 2018. They decided to transform the Izumo and Kaga helicopter carriers into “carrier-like” vessels. Last December 30, the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported that the MSDF is actively carrying out the factual transformation of the Izumo into a “carrier.”
A user on the X social media platform, while reposting the video, wrote in English, “This scene happened at Yokosuka Naval Base. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force did not respond. If this is a PLA infiltration, launching drones carrying explosives, coordinated attacks on radar and F-35 fighters aboard multiple warships, what do you think will happen?”