Tokyo: The Japanese and US Armed Forces have drafted a design for joint operations for the possibility of Taiwan’s emergency, the Kyodo Japan news agency said on Thursday, citing the unnamed source of the Japanese government, amid increasing tensions between the island and China.
China claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own “sacred” region and in the past two years has increased military and diplomatic pressure to confirm its sovereignty claims, triggering anger in Taipei and deep concerns in Washington.
The Taiwanese government said he wanted peace, but would defend himself if needed.
Under the plan, the US Marine Corps will establish a temporary base in the chain of Nansei Island which stretches from Kyushu, one of the four major Japanese islands, to Taiwan, in the early stages of Taiwan’s emergency, and will use troops, Kyodo said.
The Japanese armed forces will provide logistical support in fields such as ammunition and fuel supply, he said.
Japan, former Taiwanese colonial rulers, and the United States are likely to reach an agreement to start formulating official plans at the “2 + 2” meeting of foreign ministers and defense early next year, the news agency said.
Officials of the Japanese Defense Ministry are not immediately available for comments.
In October, the Japanese government signaled a more assertive position in China’s aggressive posture to Taiwan who was governed by itself, it would consider the option and prepared “various scenarios” while reaffirming US bonds.
Earlier this month, the former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that Japan and the United States could not stand if China attacked Taiwan.
US officials, talking about anonymous conditions, have long said that considering tens of thousands of US troops in Japan and their proximity to Taiwan, Japan may have to play an important role in Taiwan’s emergency.
A Pentagon spokesman said that as US President Joe Biden and Japanese partners said in a joint statement in March, the two countries shared commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
“We are committed to increasing the resilience and interoperability between US and Japanese forces and deepen operational cooperation during peace and various regional possibilities,” added the Pentagon.
Japan is the host for the main US military bases, including the South Island of Okinawa, a short flight from Taiwan, which will be very important for every US support during Chinese attacks.
China views Taiwan Democrats as a stubborn province, waiting for days on the island can be brought down control – with peace or military – without the right to state-to-state relations.
The United States, like most countries in the world, recognizes China over Taiwan, in line with Beijing’s “One Chinese” policy.
But Washington is the largest weapon supplier on the island and allies and is required by the law to help defend himself.