Denny Tamaki's not listening to Okinawans, most of whom feel a sense of crisis about Chinese incursions into waters near the Senkaku Islands.
China's historical revisionism is a threat, but so is the lack of higher educational institutions that would encourage Okinawa youth to stay in the islands.
Japan seeks to be defense-ready in case attacked by another country. It's bizarre for Governor Tamaki to say this preparedness causes Okinawa residents anxiety.
The governor's proposed Okinawa diplomacy office sends to foreign governments signals that conflict with national policies and damage the national interest.
As part of its psychological warfare campaign to achieve its expansionist vision, Beijing has been "renaming" territories across Asia.
Retired US Marine Colonel Grant Newsham takes on key questions about Japan's national defense: How far has it come, what needs improving, and why?
Despite the RIC Trilateral, India is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific and is an important partner to Japan as a democratic counterweight to China.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's meeting is a show of democratic solidarity and repudiation China's attempts at intimidation.
Japan must think ahead as the possibility of a Taiwan contingency looms. How will Japanese citizens be evacuated, and how will the two armed forces communicate?
Japan's leaders need to put their political lives on the line to negotiate seriously with China. Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi's visit failed to do that.
China is brazenly conducting marine surveys in Japan's EEZ near the Okinawa Trough. Japan must counter China's assertions with better data.
Pio d'Emilia was a foreign correspondent and cultural ambassador for both his native Italy and his adopted country. Endlessly exploring, he was one of a kind.