The Japanese Defense Minister, Minoru Kihara, raised doubts about the authenticity of a video that has been widely shared on social media platforms. The footage, lasting about 20 seconds, depicts an aerial view of the Izumo destroyer, showing the ship from above as the camera moves over its deck while it is stationed at the Yokosuka Naval Base. Kihara, during a press conference, mentioned that the government is currently scrutinizing the video to ascertain whether it was manipulated with harmful motives.
The presence of the logo of a prominent Chinese video-sharing website, "bilibili," in the top left corner of the video has added another layer of complexity to the situation. According to Japanese regulations, flying drones over sensitive areas like defense facilities without proper authorization is strictly prohibited, including the Yokosuka base where the Izumo was reportedly filmed. Kihara emphasized the importance of abiding by laws and regulations regarding airspace security, particularly in locations with military significance, to avoid potential security breaches.
In response to inquiries about surveillance protocols, Kihara refrained from disclosing specific strategies, citing concerns about compromising the security capabilities of the Yokosuka Naval Base. However, he reassured the public that authorities have been vigilantly monitoring drone activities and other flights to uphold stringent surveillance measures and safeguard defense assets.