Japan denies supplying military drones to Thailand

The Japanese embassy in Phnom Penh has dismissed as groundless viral reports claiming that its government will supply military drones to Thailand.

In a statement, posted on its Facebook page, the embassy said it had become aware of rumours suggesting that the Japanese government will provide combat drones to Thailand.

“This information is FALSE. The government of Japan has never planned to provide such equipment to Thailand, nor has it received such a request from Thailand,” the statement reads.

The embassy emphasised that Japan’s assistance is strictly limited to areas not directly related to international conflict, and added, “We would appreciate it if you would refrain from spreading false information.”

The Japanese government also confirmed its strong support for the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand and the swift restoration of peace.

“We sincerely hope that the people of Cambodia can return to a peaceful daily life as soon as possible,” the statement added.

The source of the misinformation remains unclear. On June 21st, however, Kyodo News reported that Japan would supply defense equipment to Thailand, Tonga and six other nations during the current fiscal year, as part of a security aid initiative.

The goal is to help secure safe sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific region, where China is expanding its military presence. The aid includes Japanese-made drones, intended for use in natural disaster response and maritime surveillance, according to the source.