Japan Nuclear Plant Reports Triple Drone Intrusion
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Three suspected drones recently intruded into a nuclear power complex in southwestern Japan, the country's nuclear watchdog said Sunday.
Newsweek reached out to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority by email with a request for comment.
Why It Matters
Japan strictly prohibits drone flights near nuclear power plants under its 2016 Drone Act, with violations punishable by up to a year in prison or a maximum fine of 500,000 yen or approximately $3,370.
Since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi disaster—triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami—Japan's approach to nuclear energy has shifted dramatically. The government suspended all reactors until 2015, gradually restarting some under stricter safety standards while decommissioning others.
What To Know
The Nuclear Regulation Authority said that bright objects believed to be drones were spotted Saturday over the four-reactor Genkai nuclear power plant in Saga Prefecture, according to Kyodo News.
The statement was more cautious than the organization's earlier remarks on Saturday, when officials reported the objects as definitely being drones, citing reports from plant operator Kyushu Electric Power Co.
An official with the nuclear regulator described the incident as "extremely unusual."
Local authorities told Kyodo News that no abnormal fluctuations in radiation levels were detected at the complex afterward, and residents were not instructed to evacuate.
Police spokesperson Masahiro Kosho told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the aircraft have not been recovered. The identities and motives of the drone operators remain unknown, he added.
Japan is cautiously turning back to nuclear power, with a new law allowing reactors to operate beyond 60 years taking effect in June.
Nuclear-generated electricity reached 88.87 terawatt-hours last year—up 9.6 percent from the previous year, according to the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum.
That's due to the reactivation of two boiling water reactors: Onagawa-2, operated by Tohoku Electric Power Co., and Shimane-2, run by Chugoku Electric Power Company.
Imagery captured by Airbus on July 24, 2024, and provided by Google Earth shows Japan's Genkai Nuclear Power Plant in its southwestern Saga prefecture.
Imagery captured by Airbus on July 24, 2024, and provided by Google Earth shows Japan's Genkai Nuclear Power Plant in its southwestern Saga prefecture.
Aribus/Google Earth
What People Are Saying
A spokesperson for the Nuclear Regulation Authority told AFP: "No abnormalities were detected after the incident was reported, and no drones were found inside the plant's perimeter."
Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) said at an event in Tokyo in March: "The restart of nuclear power plants is critical. I feel really bad that a country I really love, Japan, has so much idle capacity. I very much hope that soon, not only the Kashiwazaki Kariwa plant, but other nuclear power plants in Japan will come back, in a safe way."
What Happens Next?
While Genkai's No. 3 and 4 units resumed operation in 2018, units 1 and 2 are in the process of being decommissioned.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Newsweek
Japan Nuclear Plant Reports Triple Drone Intrusion
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Three suspected drones recently intruded into a nuclear power complex in southwestern Japan, the country's nuclear watchdog said Sunday. Newsweek reached out to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority by email with a request for comment. Why It Matters Japan strictly prohibits drone flights near nuclear power plants under its 2016 Drone Act, with violations punishable by up to a year in prison or a maximum fine of 500,000 yen or approximately $3,370. Since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi disaster—triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami—Japan's approach to nuclear energy has shifted dramatically. The government suspended all reactors until 2015, gradually restarting some under stricter safety standards while decommissioning others. What To Know The Nuclear Regulation Authority said that bright objects believed to be drones were spotted Saturday over the four-reactor Genkai nuclear power plant in Saga Prefecture, according to Kyodo News. The statement was more cautious than the organization's earlier remarks on Saturday, when officials reported the objects as definitely being drones, citing reports from plant operator Kyushu Electric Power Co. An official with the nuclear regulator described the incident as "extremely unusual." Local authorities told Kyodo News that no abnormal fluctuations in radiation levels were detected at the complex afterward, and residents were not instructed to evacuate. Police spokesperson Masahiro Kosho told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the aircraft have not been recovered. The identities and motives of the drone operators remain unknown, he added. Japan is cautiously turning back to nuclear power, with a new law allowing reactors to operate beyond 60 years taking effect in June. Nuclear-generated electricity reached 88.87 terawatt-hours last year—up 9.6 percent from the previous year, according to the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum. That's due to the reactivation of two boiling water reactors: Onagawa-2, operated by Tohoku Electric Power Co., and Shimane-2, run by Chugoku Electric Power Company. Imagery captured by Airbus on July 24, 2024, and provided by Google Earth shows Japan's Genkai Nuclear Power Plant in its southwestern Saga prefecture. Imagery captured by Airbus on July 24, 2024, and provided by Google Earth shows Japan's Genkai Nuclear Power Plant in its southwestern Saga prefecture. Aribus/Google Earth What People Are Saying A spokesperson for the Nuclear Regulation Authority told AFP: "No abnormalities were detected after the incident was reported, and no drones were found inside the plant's perimeter." Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) said at an event in Tokyo in March: "The restart of nuclear power plants is critical. I feel really bad that a country I really love, Japan, has so much idle capacity. I very much hope that soon, not only the Kashiwazaki Kariwa plant, but other nuclear power plants in Japan will come back, in a safe way." What Happens Next? While Genkai's No. 3 and 4 units resumed operation in 2018, units 1 and 2 are in the process of being decommissioned.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Hunter Reported Missing amid Declaration of Bear Warning in Mountain Region Following Multiple Attacks
A hunter in Hokkaido, Japan, was declared missing after going out on a hunting trip on Mt. Esan His disappearance comes shortly after a brown bear was spotted in the area, and a gun believed to be his was found near bloodstains There has been a rising number of bear attacks in the area in recent yearsConcerns are rising about the welfare of a hunter who went missing in Hokkaido, Japan, only days after a brown bear was spotted in the area. A friend informed authorities that the hunter — in his 50s — never returned from his outing on Mt. Esan on Tuesday, July 15, according to reports from The Guardian, Kyodo News, and The Japan News. Per reports, a gun believed to be the man's was found near bloodstains. His disappearance comes after a large brown bear was reported in the area on Saturday, July 12. The Japan News noted that police are searching for the hunter via helicopter. In recent years, there has been an increased number of bear attacks in Japan, with a record-breaking 212 reported between April and November 2023, per The Guardian. The previous record was 158 attacks, which were recorded over the length of a full calendar year. Six of those attacks in 2023 were deadly. The latest apparent attack comes shortly after the town of Fukushima, roughly 74 miles away from where the hunter went missing, issued the region's first bear warning following a deadly attack, according to Kyodo News. Implemented in May 2022, the warning system encourages people to be extra vigilant and "not to leave food waste outside homes." The Guardian noted that there will also be round-the-clock patrols to help prevent additional attacks while the warning is in place. It will remain in effect for a month and comes after a newspaper deliveryman was killed in an apparent bear attack on July 12. A hunt is out for the bear believed to be responsible for the attack, and it will be killed if found. The man was identified as Kenju Sato, 52, per The Guardian. In April, Japan's government passed a new law that would allow "emergency shootings" of dangerous animals, such as bears, if they are coming too close to cities, according to reporting by Japan Wire. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Current laws only allow hunters to take lethal action if there is an imminent threat to humans. However, the updated provision allows for the use of guns "when it is feared [a bear] will enter a residential area or it is deemed an urgent response is necessary to prevent a human being harmed." The law, which will take effect from September, empowers local government to "restrict traffic and issue evacuation orders," per the outlet. Read the original article on People
New York Post
11-07-2025
- New York Post
Missing Australian teen found alive on remote island after vanishing while surfing
A teenager who seemingly vanished after going for a surf off a northern NSW beach has been found alive on a remote island miles offshore. Darcy Deefholts, 19, did not return after going surfing at One Tree, Wooli, on the state's North Coast on Wednesday afternoon. Advertisement His father, Terry Deefholts, a real estate agent from Grafton, raised the alarm with a frantic call on social media, saying he was 'fearing the worst.' Deefholts issued an emotional plea to the community on Wednesday night following his son's disappearance. 4 Darcy Deefholt has been found alive on a remote island miles offshore. Terry Deefholt / Facebook 'HELP – I NEED BOATS, BEACH WALKERS, DRONES AND 4WDs and PLANES AT FIRST LIGHT,' his post read. Advertisement 'My boy Darcy is still missing. Marine Rescue searched tonight from Bare Point to Pebbly Beach at sea. They have been stood down for the night but expect they will be back early to resume the search. 'I am asking anyone with a seaworthy vessel to please meet me at the main Wooli boat ramp and take me to sea to help with the search.' Deefholts said at the time the family were 'fearing the worst' but urged readers of the post to 'please save comments for those wishing to help with the search'. Advertisement In an incredible development, the teen was found on Thursday morning, almost 13km out to sea on North Solitary Island off Wooli. 4 The 19-year-old did not return after going surfing at One Tree, Wooli, on the state's North Coast on Wednesday afternoon. Marine Rescue NSW Deefholts described the story of survival as a 'one-in-a-million miracle.' 'I haven't had the chance to talk to him yet, I'm just so over the moon,' he told The Daily Telegraph. Advertisement He said Darcy was receiving medical treatment and he 'could not fathom' how the teen survived being swept miles out to sea. 'I'm still just processing everything. We've had no sleep and it has been a lot to deal with,' Deefholts said. Only hours earlier, Deefholts had issued a desperate plea to search nearby islands. 4 In an incredible development, the teen was found on Thursday morning, almost 8 miles out to sea on North Solitary Island off Wooli. Google Earth 'Boats – need one to go straight to North West Solitary Island,' he said in an update online. 'That's where they found a person last year that got washed up.' Deefholts's Facebook post now has more than 1100 shares, with members of the community flocking to offer assistance and well wishes. 'We are overwhelmed by the community efforts in the search so far. There is only one thing we want now – our beloved boy to be found safe currently,' he wrote at the time. Advertisement In a statement on Thursday morning, NSW Police said Darcy left his home in Wooli on a bicycle about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday and headed towards Wooli Beach. 4 Deefholts described the story of survival as a 'one-in-a-million miracle.' Google Earth 'When he failed to return home, concerned family members contacted officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District,' police said. 'Concerns are held for Darcy's welfare as his disappearance is out of character. Advertisement 'Darcy is described as being of caucasian appearance, of slim build, about 180cm tall, with black hair.' Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray said Marine Rescue NSW vessel Wooli 30 was tasked just before 10 p.m. on Wednesday with the search-and-rescue mission. 'A volunteer crew was rapidly assembled and Wooli 30 deployed,' Inspector Murray said. Advertisement 'The crew searched waters from Bare Point in the north to Freshwater Beach in the south. Inspector Murray said Wooli 30 and Coffs Harbour 30 were back on the water at 8am on Thursday to continue the search. 'The volunteer crews will conduct search patterns under the direction of Marine Area Command,' he said.
