War: Japan Plans Civilian Evacuation From Islands Near Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions With China

Asian powerhouse Japan has unveiled its first plans to evacuate over 100,000 civilians from remote islands near Taiwan in the event of regional conflict.

This decision follows rising tensions between China and Taiwan.

Japan intends to deploy ships and planes to evacuate approximately 110,000 residents and 10,000 tourists from five islands in the Sakishima chain in the country’s far southwest.

According to Kyodo News, evacuees would be relocated to eight prefectures in southwestern and western Japan within six days, using private ferries or flights to Kyushu before being sent to designated accommodations.

Japan also plans to conduct evacuation drills on the Sakishima Islands, part of Okinawa Prefecture, starting in April next year.

The move comes amid concerns over a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

China has insisted that Taiwan is its territory and should be “reunified,” increasing military pressure on the island in recent years while refusing to rule out the use of force.

Additionally, Japan’s government plans to deploy surface-to-air guided missile units on Yonaguni, an island located just 100 km from Taiwan.