Symposium addresses “Taiwan emergency” and increasing military fortification of Okinawa

Symposium addresses “Taiwan emergency” and increasing military fortification of Okinawa

The panel discussion of the “Anti-Crisis on the Eve of 'the Southwest Shift Taiwan Emergency' War” symposium, held on December 19 at Ryukyu Shimpo Hall in Naha City (photograph by Chie Tome)


December 20, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Chie Tome

On December 19 the East Asian Community Institute Ryukyu Okinawa Center held the “Anti-Crisis on the Eve of ‘the Southwest Shift Taiwan Emergency’ War” symposium at Ryukyu Shimpo Hall in Naha City. Military journalist Makoto Konishi pointed out that, as China gains power, the U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces are moving to increase the military fortification of Okinawa, including advancing plans to deploy missile unit to the Nansei Islands. He suggested that if the US and China are to come into conflict over Taiwan, Okinawa first becoming a target has sounded the alarm. Hiroji Yamashiro, an adviser to the Okinawa Peace Movement Center, proposed the launch of the Prefectural Citizen’s Association for Keeping Okinawa from Becoming a Battlefield Again.

Masaaki Gabe, professor emeritus at the University of the Ryukyus, spoke at the symposium and pointed out that the root of the Taiwan emergency is “the competing military capabilities of the U.S. and China.” While United States acts as a check against China, which has an increasing international presence both militarily and economically, and China makes known its political objective of unification with Taiwan, he mentioned that “Japan’s goal regarding opposition is unclear.”

Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, president of the East Asian Community Institute, stated his opinion that “China will not easily gain control of Taiwan by force, and the United States should not wage war lightly.” In addition, Hatoyama made the criticism that the Japanese government is “moving to enhance its military strength due to a sense of danger stirred up by the Taiwan emergency” as a means for recovering from a decline in its economic power.

Hiroji Yamashiro, Director Hajime Takano of the East Asian Community Institute, Professor Hiromori Maedomari at Okinawa International University, Tsuyoshi Arakaki of the Ryukyu Shimpo, and Daisuke Fukumoto of the Okinawa Times spoke at the panel discussion. Film director Chie Mikami acted as moderator for the discussion. Since the differences in thinking about construction of the Futenma Replacement Facility and SDF deployment are complex, people explained their opinions about how “All-Okinawa” should be hereafter, and the necessity of re-examining concepts for actions.

(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)

 

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