February 17, 2023

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo at a press conference on February 16, regarding the emerging issue of Chinese spy balloons, said, "It should be resolved through dialogue."

Two days earlier, the Defense Ministry detected unidentified flying objects over Japan and presumed that they were unmanned Chinese surveillance balloons. The government as a response announced that it will revise the guidelines on the use of weapons in case of the need to shoot down the balloons.

Asked by reporters for his views on the easing of Japan's weapons-use regulations, Shii said, "Whatever problems may be arise, whether between the U.S. and China or Japan and China, that should be resolved through dialogue. A military response without making this effort is totally unacceptable."

Shii also said, "The Defense Ministry announced that flying objects confirmed in Japanese airspace in 2019, 2020, and 2021 'are strongly presumed to be unmanned Chinese reconnaissance balloons'. However, this is still unconfirmed. It is necessary to determine the facts."

He went on to say, "After making fact-checking efforts through a Japan-China diplomatic channel, the government should discuss ways to deal with the Chinese spy balloon issue. A military response without making such efforts may trigger a further intensification of tensions in the region."