Drone found on roof of Japanese prime minister’s office

Investigators gather around a small drone covered with blue sheets, on the roof of Prime Minister Shizo Abe’s official residence in Tokyo Wednesday, April 22, 2015. Japanese authorities were investigating Wednesday after the small drone reportedly containing traces of radiation was found on the roof of the prime minister’s office, sparking concerns about drones and their possible use for terrorist attacks. AP

TOKYO, Japan — Japanese authorities said they were investigating after a small drone laced with traces of radiation was found Wednesday on the roof of the prime minister’s office, sparking concerns about drones and their possible use for terrorist attacks.

No injuries or damage were reported from the incident, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was in Indonesia to attend an Asian-African conference.

The part of a small drone covered with blue sheets, is seen on the roof of Prime Minister Shizo Abe’s official residence in Tokyo Wednesday, April 22, 2015. AP

Police said it was not immediately known who was responsible for the drone. They were investigating the possibility it had crashed during a flight.

Wake up call

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said a drone landing at the prime minister’s office was a wakeup call to problems caused by the unmanned aerial devices, including possible terrorist attacks when Japan hosts a Group of Seven summit next year, as well as the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

“There is a possibility that drones might be used for terrorist attacks,” Suga told a regular news conference. “Taking into consideration the latest incident, we will review drone use and measures for possible terrorist attacks using drones. We’ll do our utmost to prevent terrorist attacks.”

A small drone covered with cardboard, is seen on the roof of Prime Minister Shizo Abe’s official residence in Tokyo Wednesday, April 22, 2015. AP

It was not clear when the drone landed. Officials at the prime minister’s office, located in central Tokyo, said they rarely go up to the roof, which is also used as a heliport in case of an emergency. News reports said the drone was found by an official who was taking new employees on a tour of the prime minister’s office.

Radiation present

What was initially considered only a mishap turned eerie when investigators detected small traces of radiation from the drone, which police said were not levels harmful to humans. TV video showed several uniformed policemen without hazmat suits carrying a blue plastic box containing the drone for further examination.

Video from public television broadcaster NHK earlier showed dozens of police officers and officials around the drone, which was covered by a blue tarp.

The drone was about 50 centimeters (1.7 feet) in diameter and had four propellers, carrying a small camera and a plastic bottle with unidentified content inside, according to Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department. It said the bottle is believed to be the source of radioactive cesium contamination. The drone was also decorated with a symbol that warns of radioactive material, according to NHK.

Popularity growing

Small drones are becoming increasingly popular in Japan and are often used for performances, aerial filming and other purposes, but have been raising safety concerns.

In the United States in January, a wayward drone flown by an off-duty intelligence employee crashed on the White House grounds, raising questions over how commercial and consumer drones can be used safely in the U.S.

Japanese aviation laws have no restrictions for flying unmanned equipment at or below 250 meters (820 feet) above ground except for flight routes.