Overview

• The Defense Ministry said it issued warnings or sought disciplinary action for roughly 10 people involved in the July 13 episode.
• The C-130, bound for Guam on a training mission, diverted to Kadena Air Base over fuel concerns after failing to secure passage through Japanese airspace.
• Japan scrambled a fighter after the aircraft entered the Japanese air defense identification zone without prior notification.
• The pilot reported a “precautionary landing,” which controllers did not recognize, and the aircraft was cleared only after a requested “Mayday” call.
• Inspectors cited breakdowns in coordination for transiting Japanese airspace and in chain-of-command reporting, with bad weather also contributing to higher fuel use.