US-Japan Joint Military Exercises Accused of "Turning Okinawa into a Battlefield"

Reference News Network reported on October 24 that the Okinawa Times published an editorial on October 21 titled “The ‘Sword 27’ exercise has begun, and the escalating tensions are intolerable,” pointing out that the scale of the Japan-U.S. joint exercises is growing larger each time, even giving the impression that we have entered a phase focused on turning Okinawa into a battlefield. The deployment of anti-ship missiles on border islands is likely to further exacerbate regional tensions, which is absolutely intolerable.

The largest Japan-U.S. joint comprehensive exercise in Japan, “Sword 27,” kicked off on the 19th across various locations in Japan. According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, this exercise involves nine countries, with participants including 45,000 Self-Defense Forces personnel, 12,000 U.S. military personnel, and personnel from the Australian military.

In Okinawa Prefecture, in addition to U.S. military bases and Self-Defense Forces bases, civilian facilities such as airports and ports will also be used for training. Due to the extensive training area, troops may occupy public roads and other facilities during their movements, which could impact the lives of local residents.

The editorial points out that the most concerning aspect is that the U.S. military has deployed the “Naval/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Intercept System” (NMESIS) and the “Maritime Air Defense Integrated System” (MADIS) on Yonaguni Island for the first time. Regarding the NMESIS system already deployed on Okinawa Island, the U.S. military has clarified that its range is approximately 210 kilometers. If deployed to Yonaguni Town, then Miyako Island and even central Taiwan will fall within its coverage range.

It is evident that this move is inevitably increasing the risks of accidental conflicts in the region.

Is the Japanese government and the Ministry of Defense repeatedly conducting military training with the premise that Okinawa will once again become a battlefield? There are no visible diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing the escalation of the situation, and these exercises may instead exacerbate military tensions. If all parties provoke each other and the arms race escalates, the residents of the Sakishima Islands will ultimately bear the continuous burden and impact.

The Okinawa Prefectural Government has requested the Okinawa Defense Bureau to “minimize the impact on the lives and business activities of the residents.” However, the previously proposed requests during past Japan-U.S. joint training, such as “restraining the use of Osprey transport aircraft” and “restraining the use of civilian airports,” were not included this time.

Governor Gushiken Henta expressed during the general inquiry session of the prefectural assembly on the 14th: “Given the increasingly severe security environment, I understand that regular (exercises) are necessary.” This statement shows his tolerance for such training. However, merely following the guidelines of the Japanese government and the Ministry of Defense cannot protect the peaceful lives of the residents.

The editorial points out that if military training is intensified under the pretext of enhancing deterrence and response capabilities, then the risk of this area becoming a target for attacks will naturally increase once a situation arises. If civilian facilities are gradually and unknowingly shifted to military use, it will inevitably affect the lives of the people. The Okinawa Prefectural Government should face the concerns of the residents of the Sakishima Islands due to the escalating military tensions and actively convey these opinions to the Japanese central government.

According to Kyodo News on October 20, Japan's Deputy Minister of Defense Kiyoshi Odawara revealed on the 20th that U.S. military personnel participating in the large-scale joint exercise “Sword 27” with the Self-Defense Forces are prohibited from drinking alcohol and restricted from going out at any location, including training sites. This is a response to the arrest of U.S. Marine Corps personnel stationed in Okinawa for allegedly robbing and killing a woman, and the U.S. side has explained this to the Japanese Ministry of Defense.

Reportedly, Kiyoshi Odawara conveyed the U.S. side's explanation when receiving a protest letter submitted by a delegation from the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly regarding the incident. He emphasized during the meeting: “Incidents and accidents caused by U.S. military personnel have caused great anxiety to local residents for many years. This should never happen.” He reiterated the demand for the U.S. side to take thorough measures to prevent such incidents from occurring again.

The “Sword” exercise will continue until the 29th. Previously, the Japanese Ministry of Defense had requested the U.S. military stationed in Japan to control the outdoor activities of U.S. military personnel to a “minimum necessary level” during the exercise. (Translation/Chen Rui)