Threat to the Taiwan Strait: Japan Increases Deployment in the Southwestern Islands, Military Experts Warn of Multiple Hidden Risks

[Global Times Report, Reporter Xing Xiaojing] On March 28, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its deployment at a base in the southwestern islands near Taiwan. According to a report by the Nikkei on the 27th, this base, located on Japan's westernmost island, is only about 110 kilometers from Taiwan. With changes in the security environment, its functions have dramatically evolved over the past decade, from initially limited coastal surveillance to plans for deploying air defense missiles by the fiscal year 2030, continuously expanding its operational scope. Several residents of Okinawa have expressed concerns to Global Times reporters, believing that "if military deployments continue to increase, it will easily become a target for attacks." The Okinawa Times also reported on the 27th that, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Ground Self-Defense Force's deployment, the local area has not achieved regional revitalization, and the conditions for employment, healthcare, and other livelihoods remain severe.

According to reports, when it was first activated in 2016, only coastal surveillance units of the Ground Self-Defense Force were deployed here; in 2022, it was incorporated into the Air Self-Defense Force's radar surveillance unit; and in 2024, Ground Self-Defense Force electronic warfare units responsible for radio signal collection and interference were stationed. The Japanese Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces continue to promote the "Southwest Defense" strategy, which aims to shift the focus of defense forces to the southwestern regions such as Okinawa, intending to fill the previous defense gap in the islands without Self-Defense Force presence, enhancing deterrence capabilities through vigilance and monitoring. The report also stated that amid concerns about "Taiwan-related issues," the demand for the deployment of combat troops is becoming increasingly urgent.

Japanese media claim that the current situation in the Taiwan Strait remains tense, with the People's Liberation Army frequently active in the vicinity, and the strategic importance of the southwestern islands near Taiwan is continuously increasing, making it a "frontline of defense." Japan plans to establish the country's first "air defense electronic warfare unit" capable of suppressing the opponent's radar and other equipment through interference waves in the fiscal year 2026. Additionally, by the fiscal year 2030, it will form units to deploy the Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missiles locally to intercept incoming military aircraft and missiles. Following deployments on Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island, Japan will build an air defense network in areas closer to its borders.

Military expert Zhang Junsha stated in an interview with Global Times reporters on the 27th that Japan's military actions in the southwestern islands over the past decade are essentially aimed at China as a hypothetical enemy, using the Taiwan Strait issue to expand military preparations, which conceals multiple risks. The Japanese side has long ignored the opposition and dissatisfaction of local residents, continuously ramping up deployments. A deeper reason lies in the fact that its political and military circles have been controlled by militaristic ideologies, repeatedly proposing preemptive strikes against foreign bases, with the revival of militarism looming. Japan, disregarding international rules, constitutional constraints, and the will of the people, is deploying offensive weapons in the southwestern islands near Taiwan, which not only undermines peace in the Taiwan Strait but also brings negative impacts on regional stability.