Japan Sends Fighters After Chinese Drones Sweep Near Okinawa

Japan scrambled fighter jets after two Chinese military reconnaissance drones flew through a strategic corridor between Okinawa and Miyako Island, according to Japan's Ministry of Defense.

The two WZ-7 high-altitude reconnaissance drones were detected on November 2, flying from the East China Sea into the Philippine Sea through the gap separating Okinawa's main island and Miyako Island.

Both aircraft conducted flights over waters south of the Japanese islands before returning toward mainland China along the same route.

Japan's Air Self-Defense Force deployed fighter aircraft from its Southwestern Air Defense Command to monitor the movements.

The activity was followed by another Chinese unmanned aircraft flight on November 5, when a TB-001 reconnaissance drone operated over the East China Sea, reaching waters southwest of the Danjo Islands before changing course northwest of Okinawa and returning toward China.

Japanese fighter jets were also scrambled in response to that flight.

The Miyako Strait is a strategically important passage connecting the East China Sea with the wider Pacific Ocean, frequently used by Chinese naval vessels and military aircraft.

The WZ-7, also known as the Soaring Dragon, is a high-altitude, long-endurance reconnaissance drone designed for intelligence gathering and maritime surveillance.

The TB-001 is a twin-engine unmanned aircraft capable of reconnaissance missions and, in some configurations, carrying weapons.

The latest flights come amid continued Chinese military activity near Japan's southwestern islands and Taiwan.

Japanese authorities did not report a violation of Japan's territorial airspace during the November 2 flights.