Okinawa: The Japanese government is getting down to the evacuation of residents on the Nansei island chain in southwestern Japan in case of an emergency, amid China’s increasing military activities in the East China Sea and growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno is on his visit to some of the islands in Okinawa Prefecture for the first inspection by a chief cabinet secretary to ensure the protection of citizens.

On Sunday, Matsuno visited Yonaguni Island, located about 110 kilometers from Taiwan, and had talks with Yonaguni Mayor Kenichi Itozazu.

“The security environment surrounding Japan is becoming increasingly severe and complicated, and the importance of protecting the people is growing,” Matsuno stressed.

Itokazu called on the national government to develop shelters. “We need to build robust and multifunctional ones,” he noted.

The previous day, Matsuno visited Ishigaki Island to meet with Ishigaki Mayor Yoshitaka Nakayama. He will meet with Taketomi Mayor Masato Maedomari on Monday. He is also expected to hold discussions with officials of other Okinawa municipalities including Miyakojima.

The Japanese government revised its three key security-related documents late last year, vowing to strengthen measures to protect citizens, in light of the risk of an emergency in Taiwan.

The documents call for securing transportation means and various evacuation facilities and developing airports, ports, and other public infrastructure.

In March, the national government, the Okinawa prefectural government and local municipalities conducted their first graphic drills on the assumption of an armed attack, and an estimate showed that it would take six days to evacuate a total of some 120,000 residents and tourists to the Kyushu region, north of Okinawa.

Commercial airplanes and ships are supposed to be used for the evacuation, but weather and other conditions could make it difficult.

Only a limited number of shelters are currently available in Okinawa. Underground facilities are considered safe, but the prefecture has only six–five on the Okinawa main island and one on Ishigaki Island.

In a supplementary budget for fiscal 2022, the Cabinet Secretariat allocated 70 million yen for research on shelters. It is considering technical and cost challenges.

Meanwhile, these moves are drawing mixed reactions in Okinawa, which saw heavy ground fighting in the final stages of World War II.

While local authorities are calling for the construction of shelters, civic groups and others are criticizing the move as preparation for war.

It is important to gain the understanding of local residents, and the government is expected to face the need for a careful response.

JIJI Press