Japan is Provoking! Defense Minister Inspects Frontline Bases Near Taiwan, Proving the Ability to "Protect Taiwan"?
November 23 news: Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro visited the land self-defense force bases on Ishigaki Island and Yonaguni Island.
Japan claims this is to understand the actual situation, but in the current context of tense Sino-Japanese relations and sensitive Taiwan Strait situation, this move clearly has a political probing connotation.
Yonaguni is only more than 100 kilometers away from the island of Taiwan, and it is itself a core node in Japan's construction of the southern islands military chain.
After the continuous fermentation of Takahashi's provocative remarks, Koizumi quickly went to the front line. No matter how the Japanese government explains it, it is difficult to hide the provocative nature of this move against China.
The so-called improvement of the working environment for the troops and communication with local residents is just a surface reason. The deeper intention is to use this foreign visit to package Takahashi Hayato's comments on Taiwan into a larger policy trend, thereby solidifying political positions through actions.
Japan continues to exaggerate the so-called "urgent situation in the Taiwan Strait" and has built the Southwestern Islands into forward military bases.
In recent years, missile deployments, radar station constructions, and expansion of garrisons have shown that Japan is transforming these islands from originally marginal areas into forward positions.
Koizumi specifically emphasized the high morale of the troops in front of the media, which is both to comfort domestic conservatives and to deliberately send signals to the outside world.
Japan claims that these deployments will not escalate tensions, but at the same time, it keeps increasing substantial military facilities, extending the so-called "protection of Japan" to the maritime and air space near the island of Taiwan.
However, from the perspective of practical capabilities and strategic environment, Japan does not have the so-called "protecting Taiwan" capability in terms of geography, resources, or strategic vulnerability.
The Southwestern Islands themselves have difficulties in supply and limited infrastructure, and any conflict would first affect these front-line islands.
Japan, however, continues to increase military deployment in these areas, turning them from ordinary islands into potential military targets. The so-called "protecting Taiwan" is essentially an excuse for Japan to expand its military presence and loosen its own policies.
Koizumi's visit cannot prove that Japan has the "protecting Taiwan" capability, but instead exposes Japan's attempt to push for military normalization and break through the peace constitution through the Taiwan Strait issue.
If Japan does not repent, it will eventually get what it deserves.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1849644169811976/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.