SDF Presence Grows in Okinawa amid China Threat; Locals Wary
Tokyo, June 24 (Jiji Press)--While Okinawa Prefecture marks 80 years since the end of the intense fighting there in the late stage of World War II, Japan's Self-Defense Forces is boosting its presence in the nation's southernmost prefecture amid China's increasing military activities.
Japan's Defense Ministry has launched new units in and around the island prefecture in the past decade, in a bid to counter China's threats, and there is a possibility of long-range missiles being deployed to Okinawa in the future. Locals worry that the prefecture may once again become a battleground in the event of a contingency.
Defense Vacuum
(2025/06/24-16:24)
To read a full story, please click here to find out how to subscribe.
NATIONAL
-
06/24 23:35 Japan's SBI Shinsei Bank to Repay All Remaining Public Funds - 06/24 22:30 China Moving to Build New Structure in East China Sea
- 06/24 21:58 (Update) U.S. Marine Sentenced to 7 Yrs for Sexual Assault in Okinawa
- 06/24 21:56 Japan Startup Blames Altimeter Problem for Failed Moon Landing
- 06/24 19:50 Over 470 Gearing Up to Run in Japan Upper House Election
- 06/24 19:04 BOJ Tankan Likely to Show Slight Fall in Biz Sentiment
-
06/24 18:28 Some Functions of My Number Card Now Available on iPhones - 06/24 18:27 Japan Consumer Affairs Agency Names 6th Straight Female Head
- 06/24 18:09 Japan Govt Paper Calls for Restart of Nuclear Power Plants
- 06/24 17:55 ASDF's Blue Impulse to Perform for Osaka Expo as Early as July 12
- 06/24 17:36 Fuji TV Announcer Referred to Prosecutors over Alleged Gambling
- 06/24 17:24 1 Year On, Suzhou Attack Leaves Scar on Japanese Community in China
- 06/24 17:10 U.S. Marine Sentenced to 7 Yrs for Sexual Assault in Okinawa
- 06/24 16:43 Japanese Flights Affected by Conflict in Middle East
- 06/24 16:40 Japan Post's Transport Biz Permit to Be Revoked Wed.
- 06/24 16:24 SDF Presence Grows in Okinawa amid China Threat; Locals Wary
- 06/24 15:16 Akazawa Plans to Visit U.S. Soon for Next Round of Tariff Talks
- 06/24 13:37 (Update) Japan FSA to Promote Yutaka Ito to Commissioner
- 06/24 13:02 Japan Welcomes Iran-Israel Ceasefire Deal Announced by Trump
- 06/24 12:06 Japan Upper House Election Set for July 20
- 06/24 10:12 Japan Opposes Eel Trade Regulation
- 06/24 09:00 Oil Price Increases Raise Concern about Japan's Economy
- 06/23 23:53 U.S. Strikes on Iran Show Determination: Japan's Ishiba
- 06/23 23:34 (Update) Ishiba Aims to Keep Ruling Camp's Upper House Majority
- 06/23 23:07 Japan FY '24 N-Fuel Reprocessing Costs Hit Record 15 T. Yen
- 06/23 22:21 "Strong Economy" to Be Focus of Upper House Election: Ishiba
- 06/23 21:55 Japan Aims to Regulate Social Media Monetization in Disasters
- 06/23 20:58 Japan Rice Price Falls below 4,000 Yen, 1st since March
- 06/23 19:51 Ex-MUFG Bank Worker Defrauds Customer of 39.84 M. Yen
- 06/23 19:47 FTC Fines Dentsu Group, Others 3.3 B. Yen
- 06/23 19:04 Ishiba Visits Himeyuri Monument in Okinawa
- 06/23 18:43 Minister Akazawa Praises Nippon Steel's Acquisition of U.S. Steel
- 06/23 18:24 Okinawa Kamikaze Pilot's Daughter Wants to See Father Again
- 06/23 18:12 Japanese Students' English Proficiency Keeps Improving
- 06/23 17:57 (Update) Japan PM Ishiba to Skip NATO Summit
- 06/23 17:38 LDP Gets Harsh Verdict in Tokyo Assembly Election: Ishiba
- 06/23 16:41 (Update) Nikkei Briefly Loses Over 300 Points after U.S. Attack on Iran
- 06/23 16:21 Fuji TV Employee Arrested for Alleged Online Gambling
- 06/23 15:44 Renesas to Post 250-B.-Yen Loss
- 06/23 15:36 Japan PM Ishiba Mulls Skipping NATO Summit
- 06/23 15:07 Japan Ruling Bloc Alarmed by Losses in Tokyo Assembly Election
- 06/23 14:23 80 Years On, Okinawa Fierce Ground Battle Victims Remembered
- 06/23 12:40 Nikkei Briefly Loses Over 300 Points after U.S. Attack on Iran
- 06/23 11:57 Japan Says U.S. Determined to Block Iran's Nuclear Program
- 06/23 02:38 (Update 5) LDP Suffers Historic Defeat in Tokyo Assembly Election
- 06/23 02:26 (Update 4) LDP Suffers Historic Defeat in Tokyo Assembly Election
- 06/23 01:46 (Update 2) Ishiba Calls for Calming Down Situation Regarding Iran
- 06/23 01:16 (Update 3) Tomin First Certain to Win Top Share in Tokyo Assembly
- 06/23 01:12 (Update) Ishiba Calls for Calming Down Situation Regarding Iran
- 06/23 01:09 (Update 2) Tomin First Certain to Win Top Share in Tokyo Assembly
- 06/23 00:30 Diet Ends Regular Session after Many Unusual Events
- 06/22 22:46 (Update) Tomin First Seen Winning Largest Share in Tokyo Assembly
- 06/22 20:18 Parties Backing Tokyo Gov. Koike Seen Keeping Majority in Assembly
- 06/22 17:39 Tokyo Citizens Vote to Elect Assembly Members
- 06/22 16:17 Ishiba Calls for Calming Down Situation Regarding Iran
- 06/22 13:57 (Update) Belarus Frees 14 Prisoners Including 2 Japanese Nationals
- 06/22 13:18 More Japanese Flee Iran by Govt-Chartered Bus
- 06/22 12:53 U.S. Urges Asian Allies to Boost Defense Spending to 5 Pct of GDP
- 06/22 12:19 Belarus Frees 14 Prisoners Including 2 Japanese Nationals
- 06/22 08:30 INTERVIEW: S. Korean Envoy Calls Ties with Japan Best Ever
- 06/21 18:12 Diet Session Ends in Substance as Upper House Skips Vote on Gas Tax Bill
- 06/21 17:34 SDF Aircraft Depart for Djibouti to Evacuate Japanese Nationals
- 06/21 15:21 3 Taiwanese Arrested over Pirated Copies of 1st "One Piece" Episode
- 06/21 13:54 Nippon Steel, U.S. Govt Agree on Withdrawal of Suit over Biden's Order
- 06/21 13:22 U.S. Demands Japan Raise Defense Spending to 3.5 Pct of GDP: FT
- 06/21 12:48 Upper House Starts Discussions on Gasoline Tax Bill
- 06/20 22:14 Japan, U.S., Philippine Coast Guards Hold Joint Drill
- 06/20 21:54 Japan Foreign Minister Urges Israel to Calm Iran Conflict
- 06/20 20:55 Memorial Service Held in Fukuoka for Executed U.S. POWs
- 06/20 20:33 (Update 3) Japanese Pop Star Kokubun Halts Activities
- 06/20 20:08 (Update) Imperial Couple Visit A-Bomb Survivors' Nursing Home in Hiroshima
- 06/20 20:00 (Update) Police, Prosecutors Apologize to Ohkawara Kakohki
- 06/20 19:08 Japanese Figure Skater Sakamoto to Retire after Next Season
- 06/20 18:56 Japan Min. Iwaya to Visit Netherlands for G-7 Meet
- 06/20 18:36 A-Bomb Dome Recommended as Special Historic Site in Japan
- 06/20 17:56 Hyogo Governor Referred to Prosecutors over Alleged Vote Buying
- 06/20 17:44 Imperial Couple Visits 2014 Hiroshima Rain Disaster Site
- 06/20 17:01 Former Komeito Head Yamaguchi to Retire from Politics
- 06/20 16:53 Japan Ruling, Opposition Parties Gearing Up for Upper House Poll
- 06/20 16:43 Annual Economic Losses from Workers' Health Issues Reach 7.6 T. Yen
- 06/20 16:26 Ishiba to Join Battle of Okinawa Ceremony 80 Years On
- 06/20 14:53 (Update 2) Tokio's Kokubun to Leave Nippon TV Program after Compliance Issue
- 06/20 14:31 1.9 T. Yen Eyed for 2011 Tsunami Reconstruction over 5 Yrs
- 06/20 14:06 Japanese Nationals Flee Iran, Israel
- 06/20 13:43 Japan Core Consumer Prices Rise 3.7 Pct in May
- 06/20 12:59 (Update) Tokio's Kokubun to Leave Nippon TV Program after Compliance Issue
- 06/20 12:37 Tokio Member Kokubun Commits Compliance Violations
- 06/20 12:30 Ishiba Calls for Expanding Japan-South Korea Exchanges
- 06/20 12:06 Japan Team Finds Apparent Grave Goods for Big Ancient Tumulus
- 06/20 11:54 Japan Emperor, Empress to Visit Mongolia July 6-13
- 06/20 09:47 Fuji TV Apologizes to Ex-Worker over Nakai Scandal
- 06/20 09:30 Okinawa Remains at Mercy of Armed Forces: Expert
- 06/19 22:35 (Update) Emperor, Empress Mourn A-Bomb Victims in Hiroshima
- 06/19 22:10 (Update) LDP Pledges to Raise Wages by 1 M. Yen by FY 2030
- 06/19 22:10 Hidankyo Vows to Collect More Testimonies on Atomic Bombings
- 06/19 21:29 Hiroshima A-Bomb Nursing Home Awaits Imperial Couple's Visit
- 06/19 20:52 (Update) Main Opposition CDP Decides to Skip No-Confidence Motion
- 06/19 19:42 Temperatures Top 35 C in Many Areas across Japan
- 06/19 19:15 LDP Has Most Support ahead of Upper House Election: Jiji Poll
- 06/19 19:05 Japan to Survey Farmers on Rice Production Intentions
- 06/19 19:01 (Update 2) Japan to Send SDF Aircraft to Djibouti to Evacuate Japanese
- 06/19 18:16 Many in Japan Concerned about Ties with South Korea: Jiji Poll
- 06/19 17:53 Japan Preparing Fresh Measure for Gasoline Price Surge
- 06/19 17:52 Diet to Carry Over Surname Bills to Autumn Session
- 06/19 17:42 LDP Pledges to Raise Wages by 1 M. Yen
- 06/19 17:15 Main Opposition CDP Decides to Skip No-Confidence Motion
- 06/19 17:07 (Update) Japan to Send SDF Aircraft to Djibouti to Evacuate Japanese
- 06/19 16:56 Japan Urges Restraint from Both Parties in Iran-Israel Conflict
- 06/19 16:47 (Update) Ishiba Cabinet Approval Rate Improves to 27 Pct: Jiji Poll
- 06/19 16:19 Ishiba Calls for Opposition Support on Tariff Talks
- 06/19 16:17 Nippon Steel Satisfied with U.S. Steel Buyout: CEO
- 06/19 15:28 Ishiba Cabinet Approval Rate Improves to 27 Pct: Jiji Poll
- 06/19 14:10 Amid Tokyo Race, Social Media Exposes Divide between Age Groups
- 06/19 13:59 Japan's Emperor, Empress Arrive in Hiroshima
- 06/19 13:54 Japanese Scriptwriter James Miki Dies at 91
- 06/19 10:36 Japanese American Museum Blasts Trump Order
- 06/19 09:55 SDF Aircraft to Be Sent to Djibouti to Evacuate Japanese
- 06/19 00:15 Nippon Steel Completes 2-T.-Yen Acquisition of U.S. Steel
- 06/18 23:48 Osaka Man Arrested for Selling Colorized "Godzilla" Film from 1954
- 06/18 22:24 (Update) JR East to Suspend E8 Shinkansen Trains for Time Being
- 06/18 22:20 CDP to Decide on No-Confidence Motion after Party Heads Meet Thurs.
- 06/18 21:47 Diet Seen Skipping Vote on Surname Bills in Current Session
- 06/18 21:00 JR East to Suspend E8 Shinkansen Trains for Time Being
- 06/18 20:27 (Update) Japan Lower House Dismisses Panel Chair for 1st Time
- 06/18 19:39 Govt to Seek Students' Opinions for Sexual Abuse Prevention
- 06/18 19:16 Memorial Services at Sea to Be Held off Northern Territories
- 06/18 18:53 Japan, U.S., S. Korea Conduct Joint Aerial Drill
- 06/18 18:13 Hidankyo Calls for Halt to Israel-Iran Conflict
- 06/18 18:05 Japan Lower House Dismisses Panel Chair for 1st Time
- 06/18 17:12 Tax Evasion in Japan Totals 8.2 B. Yen in FY 2024
- 06/18 16:55 Foreign Visitors to Japan at Record High for May
- 06/18 16:03 Japan's Exports to U.S. Fall 11.1 Pct in May
- 06/18 15:35 Japan Core Machinery Orders Down 9.1 Pct in April
- 06/18 15:29 Japan, S. Korea Leaders Agree to Develop Bilateral Ties
- 06/18 15:20 Japan Enacts Bill to Ban Online Casino Ads
- 06/18 14:07 (Update) G-7 Summit in Canada Ends without Communique
- 06/18 13:31 Japan Govt Ordered to Pay Compensation for Overstayers
- 06/18 13:24 (Update) Japan's Ishiba Backs Cash Handout over Tax Cut
- 06/18 11:27 Ishiba Conveys to Zelenskyy Japan's Resolve to Help Ukraine
- 06/18 10:42 PM Ishiba Vows Japan-U.S. Tariff Deal Benefiting Both Nations
- 06/18 10:28 G-7 Summit in Canada Comes to End
- 06/18 09:57 520 Landings, Takeoffs Conducted at Chinese Flattops in Pacific
- 06/18 08:30 INTERVIEW: Keidanren Exec Calls for Japan-First Stance
- 06/17 23:50 Reiwa Shinsengumi Lawmaker with ALS to Retire
