July 20, 2021
Ministry of Defense
On July 19th 2021, the total number of the scrambles made by the Air Self-Defense Force reached 30,000. It reached 10,000 in 1983, 25 years after the initiation of the mission in 1958. 20,000 was marked in 2006, 23 years after 1983.In the recent 15 years, it showed a rapid increase reaching 30,000 in 2021.
The Ministry of Defense (MOD) and Self-Defense Forces (SDF) will continue to take all possible measures against airspace intrusions on a 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year basis, in order to protect Japan's territory, territorial waters and airspace in the severe security environment.
* If any suspicious aircraft which may intrude into Japanese territorial airspace was detected, the MOD/SDF take necessary measures by scrambling fighters kept on stand-by.