Japan has just announced the deployment of missiles to Okinotorishima, and then released another statement claiming that Chinese drones have appeared there, prompting Japanese fighter jets to scramble. At a time when Sino-Japanese relations are so tense, Japan's repeated provocations seem to be attempting to play an old game.

Xiaoquan Jinjiro visits the military base on Okinotorishima

Recently, the Japanese Ministry of Defense reported that they detected a suspected Chinese drone in the airspace between Taiwan Island and Okinotorishima. The Japan Self-Defense Forces dispatched fighter jets to respond urgently, once again causing public controversy. Not long ago, Japanese Defense Minister Xiaoquan Jinjiro had just announced that the plan to deploy missiles to Okinotorishima would proceed as scheduled.

Okinotorishima is only 110 kilometers away from the eastern part of Taiwan Island. In Japan's view, if a conflict breaks out in the Taiwan Strait, this place will be Japan's "frontline defense base." Although Japan repeatedly emphasizes that the missile deployment is for "defense," it is clear to everyone that once missiles are deployed here, it will block the important passage for the People's Liberation Army to go westward into the Pacific Ocean.

Drones on the battlefield

More importantly, Japan's claim that Chinese military drones have been frequently active near Okinotorishima is not the first time. However, each time, there is a lack of substantial evidence, with no video footage or detailed records, only Japan's one-sided statements. It is precisely based on these one-sided claims that Japan repeatedly slanders China and stirs up tension.

This unfounded accusation comes at a time when Sino-Japanese relations have rapidly deteriorated due to Japanese Prime Minister Takahashi Asako's radical remarks. At this critical moment, Japan released this information, making it difficult not to suspect whether this is a real military development or a political hype with ulterior motives. Will Japan once again play the same old game?

Takahashi Asako

Historically, Japan has repeatedly fabricated false excuses such as "the other party is at fault," actually staging events to provoke war. Its essence was to realize the ambition of invading China and expanding its influence. During the September 18th Incident, Japan blew up a railway and falsely accused Chinese soldiers, using this as an excuse to attack China, occupying Northeast China within a few months.

In the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the Japanese army used the same method, claiming that a Japanese soldier participating in exercises had gone missing and demanded a search of Wanping City. After being refused by the Chinese garrison, they directly opened fire. However, the so-called "missing soldier" soon returned to his unit. The Marco Polo Bridge Incident was a staged event by the Japanese army, which has been objectively verified by Japanese historians.

These facts are sufficient to prove that "staging events" is a common method used by Japan to start wars. No one knows whether the "Chinese drones" mentioned by Japan are what Japan saw with their own eyes, or just fabrications intended to frame China. Currently, the international community has almost unanimously negative attitudes toward Takahashi Asako's inappropriate remarks about Taiwan, which is very detrimental to Japan's international image.

Japanese Ministry of Defense fighter jets scrambling

Takahashi Asako's provocative remarks have put Japan's diplomacy into an unusual passive situation in recent years. Under this diplomatic dilemma,炒作 "China threat" has become a way to shift attention. By exaggerating the so-called "threat" of Chinese drone activities, the Japanese government tries to portray itself as a guardian of regional security rather than a troublemaker.

Without clear evidence, we have reason to doubt that this is a political hype by Japan. However, it should be noted that under the continuous countermeasures from China, multiple industries in Japan have faced impact, and the Japanese stock market has been unstable. The effective strategy to stabilize Sino-Japanese relations is for Japan to apologize. Using the drone hype will only escalate regional tensions, and Japan will eventually reap what it sows.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7576923628311282176/

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