Kings of the east watch.... With Chinas unmistakable climb toward the status of great military power, along with Beijings unnerving but demonstrated willingness to use that power for purposes of territorial expansion, Japan faces two sets of national security problems. These problems can no longer be brushed aside, as they have been for decades. The first set of problems are short-term, precipitated by Chinas new policy of aggressively pursuing its claim to the Senkaku Islands (which it calls Diaoyudao). Some say the Chinese are motivated by possible energy deposits in the region, but my own view is that they are putting long-term strategy first. At present Chinas growing navy has no good access to the Pacific Ocean, except through waters either controlled by or near to Japan. Were China able to seize the Senkaku Islands and base forces there, it would militarily dominate the surrounding area, and sail its fleet easily through the substantial gap that separates southern Okinawa from Miyako Island. Such a Chinese military ability would threaten if not nullify Japans control over the island chain that terminates at Yonaguni, about 110km from Taiwan, while threatening Okinawa itself. Chinas need for a reliable gateway to the Pacific is the reason that the waters north of Miyako have become a regular focus of Chinese military activity. It is also the reason that Captain James Fannell, a senior U.S. naval intelligence officer, has warned that China is training for a short, sharp war with Japan to seize the Senkakus -- and perhaps more. asia.nikkei/magazine/20140327-REMAKING-THE-MAKERS/Viewpoints/0320VP1Japan-need
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 00:32:19 +0000
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