US and Japan Develop Taiwan Contingency Strategy, According to Reports
Washington and Tokyo are developing a coordinated strategy in anticipation of a potential military confrontation involving Taiwan and China, according to Kyodo. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Washington and Tokyo are coordinating efforts to prepare a joint military plan in response to potential tensions between Beijing and Taipei, according to a report from Kyodo news agency on Sunday, citing anonymous US and Japanese officials. This plan is said to include the deployment of US troops and missiles to the Indo-Pacific region.
The proposed strategy involves the US sending its Marine Littoral Regiment, which is equipped with HIMARS rocket systems and additional weaponry, to the Nansei Islands. This island chain runs from the Japanese prefectures of Kagoshima and Okinawa toward Taiwan.
The Marines would establish temporary bases on these islands, allowing for quick deployment in small units when necessary, as reported. The Japan Self-Defense Forces, already present on the islands, are expected to provide logistical support and supplies to the Marine units.
Additionally, the report claims that the US plans to deploy its Multi-Domain Task Force long-range fire unit to the Philippines. In 2023, Washington and Manila agreed to expand the number of bases available for US military use in the Philippines from five to nine, which are anticipated to be utilized in a possible Taiwan crisis.
The finalization of this plan is expected next month, although the timeline for the troop deployments remains unclear. There has been no response to media inquiries from the Japanese defense ministry or the US and Philippine embassies in Tokyo. Meanwhile, China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province, has not yet reacted to this development.
Beijing has consistently stated its intent to reunify with Taiwan, viewing the island as an integral part of China. Under its One-China policy, any move to declare Taiwan a sovereign nation would be met with resistance. The Chinese government has indicated that it prefers peaceful reunification but also retains the right to use force if Taipei pursues independence, especially with international support.
Currently, only a small number of countries recognize Taiwan's sovereignty. While the US, Japan, and the Philippines adhere to the One-China policy, they maintain strong ties with Taipei. The US has been supplying arms and military equipment to Taiwan and has committed to defending the island militarily in the event of an attack from the mainland.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te reiterated last month that the government is committed to pursuing independence from Beijing, emphasizing that Taipei will “resist annexation or encroachment” on its sovereignty.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
The proposed strategy involves the US sending its Marine Littoral Regiment, which is equipped with HIMARS rocket systems and additional weaponry, to the Nansei Islands. This island chain runs from the Japanese prefectures of Kagoshima and Okinawa toward Taiwan.
The Marines would establish temporary bases on these islands, allowing for quick deployment in small units when necessary, as reported. The Japan Self-Defense Forces, already present on the islands, are expected to provide logistical support and supplies to the Marine units.
Additionally, the report claims that the US plans to deploy its Multi-Domain Task Force long-range fire unit to the Philippines. In 2023, Washington and Manila agreed to expand the number of bases available for US military use in the Philippines from five to nine, which are anticipated to be utilized in a possible Taiwan crisis.
The finalization of this plan is expected next month, although the timeline for the troop deployments remains unclear. There has been no response to media inquiries from the Japanese defense ministry or the US and Philippine embassies in Tokyo. Meanwhile, China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province, has not yet reacted to this development.
Beijing has consistently stated its intent to reunify with Taiwan, viewing the island as an integral part of China. Under its One-China policy, any move to declare Taiwan a sovereign nation would be met with resistance. The Chinese government has indicated that it prefers peaceful reunification but also retains the right to use force if Taipei pursues independence, especially with international support.
Currently, only a small number of countries recognize Taiwan's sovereignty. While the US, Japan, and the Philippines adhere to the One-China policy, they maintain strong ties with Taipei. The US has been supplying arms and military equipment to Taiwan and has committed to defending the island militarily in the event of an attack from the mainland.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te reiterated last month that the government is committed to pursuing independence from Beijing, emphasizing that Taipei will “resist annexation or encroachment” on its sovereignty.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
