Japan-U.S. ministerial consultations on foreign affairs and defense, the so-called "2 plus 2," were held, and they agreed to deepen cooperation toward the effective operation of the "counterattack capabilities" that the Japanese government decided to possess.
What are the details included in the joint announcement?
We have summarized the specifics of the units newly deployed in Okinawa and Yokohama, as well as the reactions of the Self-Defense Forces and Okinawa Prefecture.
New unit A mission to prevent ships from advancing in anticipation of missile attacks on remote islands
In this joint announcement, the 12th Marine Regiment in Okinawa will be reorganized into the 12th Marine Coastal Regiment by 2025.
The 12th Marine Regiment is a 2,000-strong artillery unit with headquarters at Camp Hansen on the main island of Okinawa.
The 12th Marine Coastal Regiment, which will be reorganized and deployed in Okinawa, is a new unit equipped with anti-ship missiles and air defense missiles and deployed flexibly.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the headquarters will be located at "Camp Hansen", the same as now, and it is expected to have a scale of 2,000.
It is considered to be the core unit that implements the Marine Corps' new operational concept, and it is believed that it will be dispersed to remote islands before a battle occurs, and will perform duties such as preventing the advance of enemy ships in areas where attacks by missiles are expected. I'm here.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the Marine Coastal Regiment will be deployed in three locations in the Indo-Pacific, with the first unit launching in Hawaii in March 2022, followed by Okinawa and Guam.
The joint announcement confirms that an optimized US force posture in Japan will substantially enhance the alliance's deterrence and response capabilities.
The Ministry of Defense said that the basic principles of the realignment plan for U.S. forces in Japan announced by the Japanese and U.S. governments in 2012 would be maintained, and that there would be no change to the size of the 10,000 Marines in Okinawa as a whole.
Governor Tamaki of Okinawa Prefecture "Need to assess the impact"
On the afternoon of the 12th, Governor Tamaki of Okinawa Prefecture announced a comment regarding the confirmation of the reorganization of Okinawa's Marine Corps and the establishment of a new unit, saying, "If the reorganization causes any further burden on the base, it will not be possible. We believe that it will not be possible, so we need to continue collecting information and assessing the impact of the reorganization on the prefecture."
Regarding the expansion of the joint use of US-Japan facilities and the increase in joint exercises and training during the talks, he said, "For some time, we have been calling for the consolidation and reduction of the US military bases in Okinawa and the return of further bases. , the joint use of U.S. and Japanese facilities and the increase in joint exercises and training should not cause any further burden on the bases."
After that, "I would like the government to provide an opportunity for detailed explanations and consultations in the future."
Okinawan Residents “First, Diplomatic Efforts” and “Anxiety about War”
A man in his 80s from Naha City commented on the confirmation of the reorganization of the Marine Corps in Okinawa and the placement of a new unit in the so-called “2 plus 2”, the so-called “two plus two” ministerial consultations on foreign and defense affairs between Japan and the United States. If possible, Okinawa will be attacked first in Japan, so I am against it."
Also, a man in his 60s from the same city of Naha said, "I don't think it's bad in the sense that it won't lead to war and is a restraint, but it will inspire China, so I'd like you to make diplomatic efforts first." rice field.
Furthermore, a 19-year-old woman from Haebaru-cho said, "I feel that the bases in Okinawa are being used for the benefit of people outside the prefecture. I also feel anxiety about the future of war."
New unit in Yokohama
In this joint announcement, it was revealed that a new unit of the US military will be established in Yokohama City around the spring of this year in order to strengthen maritime mobility.
The location is "Yokohama North Dock", a port facility of about 523,000 square meters located at Mizuho Wharf in Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama City.
After the end of the war in 1946, it was requisitioned, and since then it has been used for transportation of supplies by the U.S. military, etc. Until now, the city of Yokohama has demanded the government to return the entire area, but only a portion of it has been returned. increase.
Most recently, in March 2021, approximately 1,400 square meters of the freight train track leading to the Yokohama North Dock was returned.
Formation of Small Landing Boat Unit
It is the US Army's "Small Landing Boat Unit" that will be newly organized here.
According to the Ministry of Defense, personnel who have been dispatched from time to time to operate the ships will be deployed at all times, and will consist of 13 ships and about 280 personnel.
There will be no increase in the number of ships as they will use the ships that have already been deployed, and the personnel added along with the new formation will live in US military facilities in Kanagawa Prefecture.
The Ministry of Defense believes that small landing craft can be docked in places where there are no ports or where harbors have been destroyed, so they can be deployed quickly to the necessary places, including the Nansei Islands. We will improve our ability to work together.
Kanagawa Prefecture Governor Kuroiwa "I want to ask the country to take necessary measures"
On the morning of the 12th, Kanagawa Prefecture received a notification from the Ministry of Defense that the Army's "Small Landing Boat Corps" would be newly deployed to the U.S. Army's "Yokohama North Dock" in Yokohama Port in Yokohama City around spring this year. It means that there was
The reason was explained as "to respond to the severe security environment".
The prefecture has provided more detailed information on the specific schedule and the impact on the surrounding area, and has requested that necessary measures be taken.
Governor Kuroiwa of Kanagawa Prefecture said, "Yokohama North Dock is located in the center of Yokohama Port, and it is necessary to take measures to reduce the impact as much as possible. For the safety and security of the people of the prefecture, we are cooperating with relevant local governments to take necessary measures. I would like to ask the country to do so," he commented.
Yokohama Mayor Yamanaka "I have to say regrettable"
Yokohama City announced on the 12th that it was contacted by the Ministry of Defense that a new 13 small landing craft and 280 troops would be organized at Yokohama North Dock around spring this year.
The city has requested the Ministry of Defense to provide timely and appropriate information and ensure the safety and security of citizens' lives.
Takeharu Yamanaka, Mayor of Yokohama City, said, "I understand that the formation of a small landing craft unit is necessary for the security of our country, but there is a risk that it will lead to the permanent establishment of the 'Yokohama North Dock'. The city of Yokohama, which is demanding its return, cannot but say that it is regrettable.In addition to requesting the government to ensure that the safety and security of citizens' lives are not affected, we will continue to seek the early return." doing.
Kadena Ammunition Depot Additional joint use by the Self-Defense Forces
In this joint announcement, the Self-Defense Forces will additionally jointly use the U.S. military's Kadena Ammunition Depot in Okinawa Prefecture.
The "Kadena Ammunition Depot Area" is a US military facility adjacent to the Kadena Air Base in the central part of the main island of Okinawa.
The Self-Defense Forces have been using part of the district jointly since 2003, and currently use six ammunition depots.
According to the Ministry of Defense, in the joint announcement this time, it is planned to jointly use three new ammunition storages, and they plan to start using them after fiscal 2025 after carrying out renovation work.
Chief of Staff, Ground Self-Defense Force ``Marine Coastal Regiment is extremely effective in island defense''
At a press conference on the 12th, Yoshihide Yoshida, chief of staff of the Ground Self-Defense Force, said that the establishment of a new "Marine Coastal Regiment" by reorganizing a portion of the Marine Corps in Okinawa would strengthen Japan and the United States' ability to defend islands. I recognize that it will change in an extremely effective direction in terms of what we can do. What the unit can do will have an impact and make it easier to deepen cooperation.I recognize that it will increase deterrence both in name and reality.
In addition, he said, "I would like to strengthen interoperability while conducting Japan-U.S. joint exercises in the Nansei Islands."
Regarding the establishment of the U.S. Army's "Small Landing Boat Corps" in Yokohama this spring, he said, "We are also making preparations for a transport unit, including requesting a budget for small ships. The U.S. Army I believe that by collaborating with , rapid and dispersed mobile deployment will become easier and easier."
Self-Defense Forces also plan to strengthen troops in Okinawa
Prior to the joint announcement this time, the government has announced the strengthening of Okinawa's military forces in the National Defense Strategy compiled in December.
Of these, the 15th Brigade of the Ground Self-Defense Force, which has its headquarters in Naha City, has increased the number of regiments of hundreds of soldiers who engage in ground combat from the current one to two, and is reorganized into a "division." , the commander's rank will be upgraded from lieutenant general to lieutenant general.
According to Ministry of Defense officials, the commander will also be responsible for coordinating with the U.S. military on the ground.
We are also considering setting up a replenishment base where ammunition and fuel will be accumulated in the Ground Self-Defense Force training area on the main island of Okinawa.
Furthermore, it is considering deploying a new surface-to-air missile unit at a garrison on Yonaguni Island, the westernmost island of Japan, and the budget for next fiscal year includes land acquisition costs.
In Okinawa, in 2017, the Air Self-Defense Force's units were reinforced, and Ground Self-Defense Force bases were established one after another on Yonagunijima and Miyakojima.
Professor Heigo Sato of Takushoku University "I went into specific content"
Regarding the joint announcement, Professor Heigo Sato of Takushoku University, who is familiar with security, said, ``While Japan has announced a policy of possessing counterattack capabilities, we will go into specifics about how to operate smoothly. For Japan to operate its counterattack capability alone, there are technical problems, including the supplementation of targets, and at the same time, there are strategic problems about under what conditions it will be used. There is a big point in deepening dialogue and joint operations regarding this."
Regarding the reorganization of part of the Marine Corps in Okinawa into the "Marine Coastal Regiment," he said, "Since it is consistent with Japan's policy of emphasizing the Nansei Islands, tactical cooperation between Japan and the United States will deepen. I think that the activities of the U.S. military will become more active in various aspects such as exercises and training."
He added, "There is no doubt that the integration of Japan and the United States will advance. Rather than Japan being involved in American strategy, it should be considered that the strategic interests of the United States are similar to those of Japan in the Indo-Pacific region. I think it's very natural that the strategies of two allied nations would go in the same direction."
Ryutsu Keizai University Professor Hideki Uemura "Efforts to gain public understanding"
Hideki Uemura, a professor at Ryutsu Keizai University who is familiar with security, said about the joint announcement, "My first impression is that the development and integration of the defense capabilities of Japan and the United States will progress further. In other words, it is accepted by the public as a counterattack capability. However, there remains a very big problem as to whether it can be said that Japan and the United States are stepping into the unified operation without sufficient discussion, in terms of public understanding and acceptance. It is pointed out that
Regarding the reorganization of part of the Marine Corps in Okinawa into the Marine Coastal Regiment, he said, "I believe that the public will understand to some extent the need to strengthen the defense of the Nansei Islands, but there is an enemy in the name of counterattack capability. If it is combined with the ability to attack bases and is received by neighboring countries, it may be viewed as extremely provocative.
On top of that, he said, ``I don't think we will overturn what has already been decided, but we still need to have a firm discussion about the content and make efforts to gain the understanding of the people. I would like them to take a flexible approach to reviewing things that can be reviewed without rushing too much."