As Japan faces unprecedented harassment from China following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Nov. 7 remarks on potentially using its military to defend itself in a Chinese attack on Taiwan, it is evident that countries in the region must boost coordination in countering Chinese hegemony.
In addition to disinformation campaigns attacking Takaichi, false claims against Japanese sovereignty over Okinawa and economic coercion, Beijing on Saturday ramped up its intimidation when Chinese People’s Liberation Army J-15 fighters locked their radar onto Japanese F-15s on two separate occasions near Okinawa, not far from Taiwan.
Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi formally protested the act, saying it “exceeded the scope necessary for safe aircraft operations.”
De La Salle University Department of International Studies distinguished professor Renato Cruz de Castro said that the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s administration could be a game changer. In the event of a Chinese armed invasion of Taiwan, the strategy could fill in the gaps of the southern flank of the first island chain, securing islands around Taiwan, the northern Philippines and Okinawa — where China is building up its naval operations in hopes of eliminating US influence in the region.
The strategy aims to defend the Philippines’ 200 nautical mile (370km) exclusive economic zone south, which is not only in the interests of Manila, but also vital to Taipei and Tokyo in containing Chinese expansionism. However, for the concept to succeed, regional armed forces must work together.
That could be achieved through more joint military coordination and exercises.
Hudson Institute senior fellow Riley Walters said that what is needed is improved information sharing channels and scenario-based training among US partners and allies in the region.
Taiwan is already receiving more strategic training from the US. Inviting Taiwan to play a larger role in US-led joint military exercises in the region, such as Balikatan, would send a stronger deterrent signal to China.
Taiwan could even leverage the growing momentum around boosting military coordination and capabilities among US allies. Prospect Foundation president Lai I-chung (賴怡忠) said there is room for cooperation between Taiwan and other US allies, especially Japan. That comes amid increased discussion around long-range nuclear-powered submarines, especially with Tokyo considering developing such technology after receiving the green light from Washington. Australia also aims to boost its nuclear-powered submarine capabilities.
The US’ latest National Security Strategy, released last week, makes clear that US President Donald Trump’s administration aims to build up its military power to deter a conflict with Beijing over Taiwan. The report’s release provides an opportunity for Taiwan to work with US allies, especially Japan and the Philippines, and potentially Australia and New Zealand, which, while geographically distant, are critical parts of the Pacific island chains’ defense against Chinese encroachment. This comes as President William Lai (賴清德) announced increases to the country’s defense budget to 5 percent of GDP by 2030 and developing a “T-dome” as Taiwan continues to boost values-based partnerships in the region.
Rath Wang is a senior policy fellow at Safe Spaces, a consulting firm based in Taipei and Washington focusing on Taiwanese politics, media, civil society and key issues influencing the nation’s future. He is a producer and host of political talk shows and podcasts, and has worked on political campaigns and advocacies in Taiwan, Japan and the US.
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