As I see it | Will Japan’s defence moves heighten tensions in the Taiwan Strait?
- Apart from unveiling a record military budget, Tokyo and Washington have also drawn up a draft plan for a joint operation for a possible Taiwan emergency
- While China has vowed to protect its interests, Japan should devise a strategy that addresses its security needs and at the same time eases tensions in the region
Last Thursday, Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported that the US and Japanese armed forces had drawn up a draft plan for a joint operation for a possible Taiwan emergency.
US marine corps would set up temporary bases on the Nansei island chain stretching from Kyushu – one of the four main islands of Japan – to Taipei at the initial stage of a Taiwan emergency and would deploy troops, government sources said. Japanese armed forces would provide logistical support in such areas as ammunition and fuel supplies.
A day later, Tokyo approved a record defence budget of 5.4 trillion yen (US$47.2 billion). Even though the amount is modest as compared to Washington’s US$778 billion and Beijing’s US$252 billion, it was the country’s biggest increase in military spending in decades.
Japan will also create a senior diplomatic position dealing exclusively with Taiwan-related issues, an unusual move given that it follows the one-China policy while maintaining unofficial relations with the self-ruled island.