The U.S. Ambassador to Japan recently visited two southwestern Japanese islands, underscoring the significance of increased deterrence and reaffirming the strong alliance between the two countries. The visit comes amidst heightened tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.
Japan has been shifting its defense posture towards the southwest and is ramping up its military capabilities under the 2022 security strategy, which prioritizes counter-strike capability with long-range cruise missiles.
During the visit, the Ambassador highlighted the robust alliance between the U.S. and Japan in the Indo-Pacific region. He first visited Yonaguni, Japan’s westernmost island near Taiwan, a territory also claimed by China. He later traveled to Ishigaki, home to Japan Coast Guard patrol boats safeguarding disputed islands in the East China Sea.
The Ambassador met with local fishermen who have been impacted by China’s assertive actions in regional waters. He emphasized the importance of deterrence in maintaining peace, security, and economic prosperity in the region.
In Ishigaki, Japan Coast Guard vessels protect fishing boats in waters around the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands, which are claimed by both Japan and China. The Ambassador's visit was welcomed by Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary as an opportunity to deepen understanding of Tokyo's security efforts in the region.
While local officials support the reinforcement of Japanese troops on the islands, some residents expressed concerns about being caught in a potential U.S.-China conflict. Okinawa's Governor, a proponent of the Japan-U.S. security alliance, called for a reduction in the American military presence on the island.
The use of Yonaguni’s commercial airport by a U.S. military aircraft during the Ambassador's visit drew criticism from some quarters, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in the region.
