Japan’s Kyodo news agency said on Thursday that Japanese and US armed forces had worked out a draft plan for a joint operation in the event of a Taiwan emergency, citing anonymous Japanese government sources, amid rising tensions between the island and China.
China claims democratically controlled Taiwan as its own “sacred” land, and has increased military and diplomatic pressure in the last two years to push its sovereignty claims, causing outrage in Taipei and serious alarm in Washington.
Taiwan’s leadership declares its desire for peace, but it is prepared to defend itself if necessary.
During the initial stages of a Taiwan emergency, the US Marine Corps will set up temporary bases on the Nansei island chain, which stretches from Kyushu, one of Japan’s four main islands, to Taiwan, and will also send troops, according to Kyodo.
According to the statement, Japanese armed troops will provide logistical support in areas such as ammunition and gasoline supply.
At a “2+2” conference of foreign and defense ministers early next year, Japan, the former colonial ruler of Taiwan, and the United States are expected to agree to begin formulating an official strategy.
Officials from Japan’s defense ministry could not be reached for comment right away.
Japan’s administration signaled a more strong stance on China’s confrontational posture toward self-ruled Taiwan in October, indicating that it would study options and prepare for “various scenarios” while reiterating close US ties.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said earlier this month that if China invaded Taiwan, Japan and the US would not be able to stand by.
According to US sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, given the tens of thousands of troops stationed in Japan and the country’s proximity to Taiwan, Japan would be forced to play a key role in any Taiwan emergency.
According to a Pentagon spokeswoman, both the United States and Japan shared a commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, as stated by US President Joe Biden and his Japanese counterpart in a joint statement issued in March.
The Pentagon stated, “We are committed to enhancing resiliency and interoperability between US and Japanese forces, as well as deepening operational cooperation during peacetime and various regional contingencies.”
Major US military bases are located in Japan, especially on the southern island of Okinawa. It’s only a short flight from Taiwan, which would be critical for any US assistance in the event of a Chinese attack.
China sees democratic Taiwan as a stray province that must be brought under its authority, whether peacefully or forcibly, with no right to state-to-state interactions.
In keeping with Beijing’s “one China” policy, the United States, like the rest of the world, recognizes China over Taiwan. However, because Washington is the island’s largest armaments supplier and ally, it is legally obligated to assist it in defending itself.