Takaichi Govt to Ramp Up Efforts for Defense of Japan’s Southwest

Tokyo, Nov. 23 (Jiji Press)–The government of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to accelerate efforts to strengthen the defense capabilities in the country’s strategically important Nansei southwestern region, including the Sakishima Islands in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa. As part of the moves, which reflect China’s growing military activities in waters around the island chain, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited some of the islands Saturday and Sunday, only about a month after taking office. On Sunday, he went to the island of Yonaguni, the westernmost part of Japan, after visiting the islands of Miyako and Ishigaki the previous day. Relations between Japan and China have been deteriorating rapidly since Takaichi earlier this month made remarks on a potential contingency over Taiwan. Yonaguni Island, located only about 110 kilometers from Taiwan, is expected to become the frontline of defense in the event of a Taiwan crisis. Reflecting residents’ concerns that they could be drawn into fighting once a contingency occurs in Taiwan, the mayoral election in the town of Yonaguni in August this year resulted in the victory of Tsuneo Uechi, who is cautious about the government’s plan to strengthen the defense capabilities in the Nansei region. At a meeting with Uechi at the Ground Self-Defense Force’s Camp Yonaguni on Sunday, Koizumi said, “It’s important to strengthen the defense capabilities to protect the lives and peaceful livelihoods of the Japanese people.” The minister informed the Yonaguni mayor of a plan to hold a meeting with local residents to explain the government’s project to deploy an anti-aircraft electronic warfare unit. “Cooperation from local communities is important,” he said. In recent years, China has been actively conducting drills in waters near the Sakishima Islands, apparently assuming a Taiwan contingency. Also given information from a U.S. intelligence agency that Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered the country’s military to complete by 2027 preparations for invading Taiwan, the Japanese Defense Ministry established GSDF camps on Yonaguni, Miyako and Ishigaki islands between 2016 and 2023. The ministry is also working on the deployment of surface-to-air guided missile units as part of the efforts to reinforce the defense capabilities. Tensions are rising between Japan and China following Takaichi’s parliamentary remarks Nov. 7 that China’s possible use of force against Taiwan could constitute a so-called survival-threatening situation for Japan, in which the country can exercise its right to collective self-defense. China has argued that the Japanese side must take full responsibility regarding the prime minister’s remarks. Residents of the Sakishima Islands are increasing concerned about the deteriorating Sino-Japanese relations. At a meeting Saturday, Noboru Kakazu, mayor of the city of Miyakojima, which includes Miyako Island, told Koizumi, “We want the government to act to ensure peace through diplomacy.” Asked by a reporter Sunday how he felt after visiting the southwestern islands amid rising Japan-China tensions, Koizumi said, “I refrain from answering a question based on the assumption of a possible contingency over Taiwan.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]