In order to strengthen deterrence against China, which is strengthening its maritime advances, the US government will reorganize the US Marine Corps stationed in Okinawa and deploy a new unit that will be deployed flexibly based on remote islands.
It is expected that the deployment policy will be confirmed at the Japan-US ministerial talks held on the 12th of Japan time.
As China strengthens its advance into the East and South China Seas, the U.S. government will reorganize the U.S. Marine Corps stationed in Okinawa by fiscal 2025 in order to strengthen deterrence, and create a new unit that will respond flexibly based on isolated islands. It was decided to deploy the "Marine Coastal Regiment".
The "Marine Coastal Regiment" is equipped with anti-ship missiles, etc., and is a unit that is dispersed and deployed in small units in areas where missile engagement is expected in the event of an emergency on a remote island to prevent the advance of enemy ships. , The U.S. military was launched in Hawaii for the first time in March last year.
On the other hand, the United States plans to reduce the number of heavy weapons units stationed in Okinawa in the future, and it is expected that there will be no change in the reorganization plan of the United States Forces in Japan, which will have about 10,000 Marines in Okinawa as a whole.
On the 12th of Japan time, the Japanese and US governments will hold a ministerial consultation on foreign affairs and defense, the so-called "2 plus 2", in Washington, USA, and are expected to confirm the deployment policy of new units.