Japan set to develop unit of elite troops
Defence ministry responds to lawmakers’ appeal to bolster forces in sovereignty row after analysis finds existing units not up to the task
Japan has outlined plans for a unit made up of elite troops trained to assault and recapture a remote part of its territory in the event of it being invaded.
The proposal was put forward on Wednesday by the Ministry of Defence in reply to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's request seeking ways to bolster the country's defence surrounding the disputed islands that Japan calls the Senkaku Islands and China calls the Diaoyus.
It won't be very easy for the Self-Defence Forces to establish this kind of unit
Both mainland China and Taiwan claim the islands as their sovereign territory and Beijing has dramatically increased surveillance of the area.
The proposal reportedly calls for the 680-strong unit to be created under the next defence programme outline, after an analysis found existing units could not protect the islands.
The troops would exercise with their US counterparts, including in amphibious landings.
The specialist force will carry out regular exercises with elements of the civilian police force and the Japan Coast Guard. Another of its duties might be to prevent "terrorist" attacks against Japan's nuclear power plants.
But some analysts believe it may take several years before the unit is prepared for its mission.
