Aerial photo of the Genkai Nuclear Power Plant in Saga Prefecture taken from a helicopter.
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On the night of July 26, multiple aircraft believed to be drones entered the airspace above the Kyushu Electric Power Company's Genkai Nuclear Power Station in Saga Prefecture.
There was no confirmed damage at the facility. However, this is a serious threat from the standpoint of nuclear material protection. It cannot be overlooked.
Internationally, there have been a growing number of cases in which drones approach nuclear power facilities. That means nuclear power operators, including at Genkai, need to establish countermeasures and alert systems at their nuclear power plants.
What Happened? According to the Nuclear Regulation Authority, three luminous objects believed to be drones were seen flying over the Genkai Nuclear Power Station at around 9 PM on Saturday, July 26.
Four security personnel at the facility visually observed the aerial incursions. Kyushu Electric Power immediately contacted the Saga Prefectural Police unit stationed onsite. It also sent an emergency message to the Nuclear Regulation Authority, providing it with "nuclear material protection intelligence."
That type of response is critical when there is a risk that a nuclear facility's operation may have been impacted.
Who committed this illegal act of trespassing, and for what purpose?
First, the Law
In principle, flying drones over nuclear power plants, Self-Defense Force (SDF) facilities, and their surrounding areas is explicitly prohibited by law. Prefectural police, therefore, want to quickly identify the operator or operators of the aircraft in question.
So far, no abnormalities have been found in the facilities of Genkai units 3 and 4. They are still in operation. Nor were abnormalities found at units 1 and 2, which are currently undergoing decommissioning. Nevertheless, the incident serves as a warning alarm regarding our weak defenses against terrorist acts, sabotage, and aerial military attacks.
The national government, power companies, and the police should immediately strengthen security around nuclear facilities. Close cooperation with the SDF is also in order. Jamming devices that use powerful radio waves to block drone flights over nuclear power plants should also be introduced.
Instances in which drones interfere with nuclear power plants are also on the rise overseas. France and the United States have responded by introducing protective equipment. Japan's government should leverage the Genkai Nuclear Power Station incident as an opportunity to gather technical information on airspace crisis management that other countries have in place. Then, it should expedite the establishment of an adequate safety system within Japan.
The Threat is Real
Technological advances in civilian drones have reached the point where they pose a threat to nuclear power plants and other critical infrastructure.
What should be noted about this particular incursion into the Genkai Nuclear Power Station's airspace is that it occurred at night. Furthermore, multiple aircraft were involved.
There is an observable pattern that has also been identified in similar incidents overseas. In those cases, the involvement of an organized, malicious actor is suspected.
As discussions continue regarding the restart and construction of new nuclear power plants, all parties involved in nuclear administration must learn from this incident. Daily preparations to deal with new threats, including those posed by drones, can no longer be neglected.
RELATED:
- JS Izumo Drone Breach a Call for Drastic Countermeasures
- New Policy Allows SDF to Shoot Down Drones Without Immediate Threat
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
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