Dear Mr. Bruce K Gagnon,
I am writing today in response to a
recent report in Japan about a joint operation plan in
preparation for a possible Taiwan invasion by China.
Kyodo News in Japan recently reported that Japan’s Self
Defense Forces and the U.S. military had made a draft
plan for a joint operation should an emergency with
Taiwan arise. The plan reportedly would set up a
temporary attack base to be built on the Nansei Islands
chain including Okinawa at the first sign of the
emergency, which could result in involving local
residents in combat operations.
The reports created a stir in Okinawa where a fierce
field battle was fought and hundreds of thousands of
people were killed during WWII. Right after the report,
a group of civic leaders and scholars issued an
emergency statement calling for the recall of the plan
and announced that they would launch a non-partisan
association campaigning not to let Okinawa become a
battlefield.
Governor Tamaki, expressed his opposition to the plan
and requested further information when he met with Mr.
Oniki, State Minister of Defense on December 24, 2021.
Citing the report that a uniformed Defense Ministry
officer said that the Self Defense Forces would not be
able to afford to protect residents during contingencies
and that the local governments would need to play the
role instead, Governor Tamaki told the State Minister
that no additional burdens should be imposed on Okinawa
which already bears excessive burdens in hosting
military bases, and that Okinawa should never be a
target for attack.
He stressed the need for Japan and the U.S. to reduce
tensions and build confidence in the Asia-Pacific region
instead of just strengthening deterrence.
We would appreciate it if you would understand Okinawa's
voices, and reach out to members of Congress of your
region for support for Okinawa. Please feel free to let
me know if you need any further information from us. We
are open to online/in-person meetings.
Sincerely,
Satoshi UechiDirector
Okinawa Prefecture Washington D.C. Office
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