SpaceWar.com reports: “A fresh analysis of unidentified aerial objects that flew over Japan’s airspace in recent years ‘strongly’ suggests they were Chinese spy balloons, according to Tokyo’s defence ministry.

‘After further analysis of specific balloon-shaped flying objects previously identified in Japanese airspace, including those in November 2019, June 2020 and September 2021, we have concluded that the balloons are strongly presumed to be unmanned reconnaissance balloons flown by China,’ the ministry said in a statement late Tuesday.

It said it had ‘strongly demanded China’s government confirm the facts’ of the incident and ‘that such a situation not occur again in the future’.

‘Violations of airspace by foreign unmanned reconnaissance balloons and other means are totally unacceptable,’ it added.

Beijing hit back on Wednesday, saying Japan lacked proof.

‘Japan is making groundless accusations and smearing China without conclusive evidence. We are resolutely opposed to that,’ foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters…”