Japan moves 600 troops to remote island near Taiwan

2023-04-03

Japan has moved hundreds of troops to a new base on Ishigaki Island, located just 300 kilometers away from Taiwan. This is Japan’s fifth deployment to a remote island, joining forces on Okinawa, Amami Oshima, Miyako Island, and Yonaguni Island. Experts say these bases will enable Japan to collaborate with the U.S. to support Taiwan’s defense.

Japan has set up a Ground Self-Defense Force garrison on Ishigaki Island. It deployed over 600 troops to bolster the defense of its southwestern islands.

Hamada Yasukazu
Japan defense minister
To strengthen the line of defense of the southwestern islands, to maintain seamless defense systems on Ishigaki Island and across the southwestern region – it all depends on everyone’s cooperation.

Inoue Yuichiro
Camp Ishigaki’s commander
The situation surrounding our country is very serious. In order to plug the defense gap in the southwestern region, we have completed the installation of Ishigaki garrison. We believe that our defense system is now fully in place.

According to experts, Japan’s move is meant to counter Chinese aggression.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
The anti-ship missile units are mainly armed with Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles. They have a range of 200 kilometers and can cover Taiwan’s northwest waters, near Keelung. This effectively aids in defending Taiwan and blocking China’s amphibious fleets.

Geographic proximity has been a key factor behind Japan’s recent deployments. Yonaguni Island, the island closest to Taiwan, is just over 100 kilometers away. Ishigaki and Miyako islands are just over 300 kilometers, while Okinawa and Amami Oshima are no more than 1,000 kilometers away. These forces would support a joint defense of Taiwan while enhancing U.S. combat efficiency.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
These three islands have extended runways or new airports. They would allow U.S. aircraft carriers to launch long-range island-hopping attacks. Aircraft can take off from these carriers, and then after engaging in combat, they can land on these islands, resupply, and return to their carriers.

With its latest military deployments, Japan is speaking volumes about its position in a potential conflict.

日啟用石垣島駐地學者:與台形成重疊反艦飛彈網

2023-04-03

日本政府啟用石垣島"陸上自衛隊駐地"，在島上部署地對海與地對空飛彈部隊，包括原有的沖繩、奄美大島、宮古島和與那國島，這是他們第五個部署兵力的離島，目標正是防範中國進犯。學者分析，這些島嶼最近離台灣100多公里，除了可協防台灣，也可協助美軍整補，拉長作戰時間。

日本政府近日在石垣島新成立"陸上自衛隊駐地"，部署超過600人兵力，要強化西南群島的防線。

[[日本防衛大臣濱田靖一]]
“要強化西南群島的防線，要維持石垣島，以至於西南區域防衛體系天衣無縫，全都得仰賴各位。”

[[石垣駐囤地司令井上雄一朗]]
“我國周邊的情勢目前十分嚴峻，為了填補西南區域的防衛空白區域，最終完成設置石垣駐囤地，我們認為防衛體系已布設完備。”

學者認為，日本動作這麼大，目標當然是防堵中國進犯。

[[國防院國防戰略與資源所長蘇紫雲]]
“反艦飛彈(部隊)是由12式的反艦飛彈擔任主力，它射程大概200公里，可以涵蓋到台灣的西北，在基隆外海的位置，這樣子就可以有效的協防台灣，阻擋中國兩棲船團的進犯。”

日方會積極加強西南群島火力，地理位置是重點，距離台灣最近的與那國島僅有100多公里，石垣島與宮古島也僅有300多公里，而沖繩與奄美大島最遠不超過1000公里，協防台灣的同時，也能提升美軍作戰效率。

[[國防院國防戰略與資源所長蘇紫雲]]
“這三個島都有延長的跑道，或新設機場，其實就是讓美國的航艦可以採取遠距的跳島進攻，(戰機)由航艦上起飛，進行接戰之後，在這些島嶼降落，整補再飛回航艦。”

日方強化離島軍事部署，一切盡在不言中。