浜田防衛相、気球飛来なら撃墜も

　浜田靖一防衛相は７日の記者会見で、外国の気球が日本の領空内に侵入した場合、自衛隊機による撃墜は法的に可能との認識を示した。浜田氏は「対領空侵犯措置の任務に当たる自衛隊機は武器の使用ができる。国民の生命、財産を守るために必要なことは実施する」と述べた。
　自衛隊法８４条は、外国の航空機が日本の上空に侵入した場合、自衛隊が機体を着陸させることや、領空から退去させるために必要な措置を講じると定める。防衛省によると、気球やドローンも航空機に含まれる。（2023/02/07-12:00）

It is possible under law for Japan's Self-Defense Forces aircraft to shoot down a foreign balloon flying into Japanese airspace, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada suggested Tuesday.
   "SDF aircraft on a mission to deal with airspace intrusions can use weapons," Hamada told a press conference. "We will do what is necessary to protect the lives and property of the Japanese public," he said.
   Article 84 of the SDF law stipulates that when foreign aircraft intrude into Japanese airspace, the SDF will take measures necessary for having the aircraft land or leave the Japanese airspace.
   Aircraft include balloons and drones, according to the Defense Ministry.
   A U.S. fighter jet shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon in U.S. airspace off South Carolina on Saturday local time.