Radioactive Drone Lands On Japanese PM's Roof

Radioactive Drone Lands On Japanese PM's Roof

A drone carrying a "small quantity" of radioactive material has landed on the roof of Japanese Prime Minister's office in Tokyo.

It was spotted by an official taking new employees on a tour of Shinzo Abe's rooms - he was away at the time in Indonesia at an Asia-Africa summit.

The aircraft was carrying a small camera, water bottle and flare and was marked with a radioactive sign, according to media reports.

Aerial footage showed it covered by cardboard and later by a blue tarpaulin.

It was subsequently carried away by police and later tested positive for small amounts of radiation, Kyodo news said, quoting police sources who claimed the radiation was so low it was not harmful to humans.

A government spokesman said the country might need to consider regulating the devices - at present there are no restrictions over unmanned equipment flying at 250m (820ft) above ground, except for flight routes.

"This situation concerns the centre of Japanese government, the prime minister's office, and we will take every necessary step, including a detailed investigation by police," he said, adding that Japan had begun studying the matter after a drone landed in the White House grounds in January.

It is not known who sent the drone or why but it comes after a group of Japanese citizens failed in a legal attempt to halt the restart on a nuclear power plant in the southwest of the country.

A court discarded their concerns about the safety of nuclear power since the Fukushima radiation disaster in 2011.

Small drones are becoming increasingly popular in Japan and being used for performances, aerial filming and other events.

Meanwhile, at the Asia-Africa summit Mr Abe expressed "deep remorse" for Japan's part in World War Two.

He did not go as far as former Japanese PMs in making a full apology but reports suggest there was a thaw in relations with China, with Mr Abe and Chinese President Xi Jingping shaking hands at the start of the meeting and planning a possible one-to-one meeting later.