The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said July 20 that it has known for some time of Japan’s plans to deploy border security and coastal monitoring units to some islands in southwestern Okinawa Prefecture.
The Kyoto News Agency had reported on the deployments of Ground Self-Defense Force units in recent days.
MOFA spokesman Henry Chen stated that the government has through diplomatic channels worked to gain a better understanding of the situation and has expressed its concerns to the Japanese side. He added that Taiwan would continue to closely monitor follow-up moves by Japan on the issue.
According to the Kyodo News report, the plan involves dispatching several hundred GSDF members in charge of border security to Miyako and Ishigaki islands and about 100 coastal monitoring personnel to Yonaguni Island.
MOFA officials pointed out that the Japanese plan is aimed at addressing the gap in its defenses in areas off its southern coast following the withdrawal of U.S. forces to Guam.
They stressed the Japanese move is by no means meant to challenge countries, including Taiwan, that have claims over the Diaoyutai Islands. The islands, known in Japan as the Senkaku Islands, are located in the Sakishima island chain that also includes Miyako, Ishigaki and Yonaguni in the prefecture of Okinawa.
Pointing to Japanese concerns about the frequent mainland Chinese naval activity in waters around Sakishima, the officials said that Japan therefore wants to beef up its monitoring in the region by deploying the forces.
The MOFA said the Japanese move, though not directed at Taiwan, could intensify the controversy over the Diaoyutai Islands and it is therefore continuing to keep an eye on related developments.
The ministry officials said Taiwan’s stance regarding the disputed islands has always been clear, namely that it advocates “common development, sharing of resources, and the shelving of disputes.”
Although Taiwan insists on its sovereign claim over the Diaoyutais, the officials continued, it also holds the position that the island chain’s fishery and seabed resources should be developed jointly through dialogue and negotiations.
At the same time, noting that Japan’s plan could lead to a relatively stronger reaction in some quarters in Taiwan, the officials said the MOFA would try to explain the situation clearly and urge those in opposition to face the matter in a rational manner. In addition, the ministry would do its best to offer guidance and counseling to Taiwan fishermen to prevent them from mistakenly entering Japan’s territorial waters, causing unnecessary disputes. (SB)