See how the alleged Chinese spy balloon looks up close 0:50
Tokyo (CNN) --
Japan said Tuesday that it "strongly" suspects that three Chinese spy balloons entered its airspace between 2019 and 2021.
Three "balloon-shaped flying objects" were detected between November 2019 and September 2021, according to Japan's Defense Ministry, adding that they were supposed to be "unmanned reconnaissance" aircraft flown by China.
The ministry said it had asked the Chinese government to "confirm the facts on this matter through diplomatic channels" and urged that this not happen again.
China has yet to publicly respond to Tokyo's claims or a CNN inquiry about them.
The news follows the flight of a Chinese hot air balloon high above US airspace earlier this month.
Chinese spy balloon contained technology to monitor communication signals, US says
The powerful US plane that shot down a Chinese balloon 1:30
US officials have claimed that the balloon, which was shot down by a US Air Force plane off the east coast near the Carolinas, was part of a large Chinese military surveillance program that has carried out at least two dozen missions on at least five continents in recent years.
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China, however, has claimed that it was a civilian research vessel that went off course.
Japan's Defense Ministry warned in its statement that it "will endeavor to collect and monitor" any balloons that intrude into Japan's airspace without permission.
Asked if Japan Air Self Defense Force planes would shoot down any unauthorized balloons, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said this was possible.
“Necessary measures can be taken when deemed necessary to protect the life and property of citizens,” Hamada said.
Chinese balloons
