このページを 日本語 で読む
The Yaeyama Islands, known as the "border islands," are an archipelago in the far southwest of Okinawa Prefecture. Administratively, they are a district governed by Ishigaki City. This district also includes the Senkaku Islands as well as Yonaguni Town.
As the westernmost town in Japan, Yonaguni is located only 110 kilometers from Taiwan. Taketomi Town, which includes Hateruma, the southernmost inhabited island in Japan, is also part of this district.
These beautiful islands are abundantly endowed by nature and are known as some of the top resort destinations in Japan. However, what sets them apart from other resort destinations is that not a day goes by without the words "Senkaku" and "Taiwan" appearing in local newspapers.
A Different Atmosphere
Regarding Japan's security, the Yaeyama Islands constitute the frontline of the nation's defense. Residents live in a unique environment where the threat of the Chinese military has become a daily concern.
I normally live in Ishigaki City on Ishigaki Island, but I make reporting trips to the main island of Okinawa once a month. Every time I visit, I am struck by the stark difference in atmosphere concerning threats facing the region. Take, for example, how people living on the main island perceive security issues, as compared to those residing in Yaeyama.
For the past decade, Okinawa Island has been governed by a strongly anti-American administration controlled by the "All Okinawa" movement. All Okinawa is the collective name of the political forces opposed to relocating the United States military's Futenma Air Base (Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture) to Henoko, Nago City on Okinawa Island.
Its current leader is Denny Tamaki, governor of Okinawa Prefecture. He has repeatedly made negative remarks about the US military bases in Okinawa. Furthermore, in recent years, he has become skeptical even of Japan Self-Defense Forces' (JSDF) activities. He argues that "strengthening deterrence will lead to an arms race in Asia, and we must not allow Okinawa to become a target of attack."
Little Sense of Crisis
The China Coast Guard has permanently stationed four ships near the Senkaku Islands. They have repeatedly intruded into Japanese territorial waters and threatened Japanese fishing boats operating nearby. This is regarded as a serious problem in the Yaeyama area. Meanwhile, back in Naha, the prefectural government continues to prioritize the issue of removing US military bases. The Senkaku Islands issue is rarely discussed.
As Okinawa's representative, Governor Tamaki has never formally protested to the Chinese government regarding its trespassing in the Senkaku Islands area. Nevertheless, China has recently displayed a strong interest in Okinawa itself. Chinese diplomats, including its ambassador to Japan, have recently paid frequent visits to the prefectural offices. Governor Tamaki has been seen shaking hands with them with a big smile, pledging friendship between "Okinawa and China.
As mentioned above, Taiwan is just a stone's throw away from Yaeyama. There is a strong view among Yaeyama locals that if a Taiwan contingency were to erupt, Yaeyama would inevitably be drawn into it. In the event of such a contingency, the central and local governments plan to evacuate all Yaeyama residents to Kyushu.
Assistance from Tokyo will begin next fiscal year. In addition, plans to establish emergency shelters for residents in Ishigaki City will move forward.
Residents of remote islands now view a Taiwan contingency as a real risk that could occur in their lifetimes. In contrast, residents of Okinawa Island, including the prefectural government, show little sense of crisis.
Governor Tamaki's Priorities
In June 2024, prefectural governors attended a conference in Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu. During the conference, the government presented for the first time a proposal for Kyushu prefectures to accept residents from the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands in the event of a contingency. The governors then engaged in a detailed discussion of the proposal.
However, Governor Tamaki, the government official most directly concerned, chose not to attend the meeting. Instead, he sent the vice governor.
What was Governor Tamaki doing at that time? It appears a prefectural assembly election was underway. Later, it was revealed that the governor was on Okinawa's main island, giving a speech in support of the ruling "All Okinawa" party candidate. Apparently, Tamaki considered the growing concerns among Yaeyama residents about a Taiwan contingency to be none of his business.
A prefectural assembly member representing Ishigaki City expressed dismay at Governor Tamaki's response. "I was shocked," he admitted. "Is the governor really committed to safeguarding the lives of the residents of the remote islands?"
Belligerent Opposition
The current prefectural government obviously prioritizes its anti-base ideology over strengthening deterrence. This was demonstrated in the designated airports and seaports system the central government will implement in 2024, preparing for potential contingencies.
Under this system, the national government designates strategically important airports and ports across the country. It establishes a framework between their managers to allow the JSDF and the Japan Coast Guard to use the facilities smoothly, on a regular basis. Accordingly, the government is taking the lead in strengthening infrastructure functionality, by extending airport runways and developing ports.
Okinawa leads the nation with 12 locations identified as candidates for designation. However, in 2024, only Naha Airport and Ishigaki Port received official designations. Both are managed by the national government. Progress has stalled because the prefecture manages most airports, and Governor Tamaki has been reluctant to approve any designations.
The prefectural government and "All Okinawa" parties supporting Governor Tamaki argue against such designations, citing potential consequences. They claim ports and airports would likely become targets during emergencies. Additionally, they could be classified as military facilities, losing the civilian protections provided under the Geneva Convention.
One of the candidates for designation is the prefectural-run New Ishigaki Airport. Ishigaki City is hopeful that the runway extension project will be implemented if this facility is designated. That would serve to boost tourism in peacetime and facilitate the evacuation of residents in the event of an emergency. Yonaguni Town is also eager to have Yonaguni Airport designated for similar reasons.
Prisoners of Anti-Base Ideology
Ishigaki City Mayor Yoshitaka Nakayama has directly appealed to Governor Tamaki to approve the designation. However, the governor is maintaining a reluctant stance, saying, "We will discuss our various concerns with the Ministry of Defense."
This issue is just another example of how the anti-base ideology of the Tamaki administration has mushroomed. It now poses a significant obstacle to bolstering Japan's deterrence capabilities.
In 2025, construction work on the Henoko relocation project, which the prefecture opposes, is due to progress further. As things stand, there is no prospect of easing tensions regarding the status of Taiwan. Consequently, calls in Yaeyama to designate Shin-Ishigaki and Yonaguni airports as special-use facilities are expected to intensify. Nevertheless, on Okinawa, the Tamaki administration will likely stubbornly refuse to agree.
A Security Risk
Okinawa represents the frontline for Japan's security. However, if the prefectural government continues to oppose the base relocation and resists designating its airports as special-use facilities, it will create ongoing challenges.
This persistent resistance is likely to remain a significant source of uncertainty for the nation. After all, a single leak can sink a ship. For Japan, the continued existence of the Tamaki administration constitutes a clear and present security risk.
Although the next gubernatorial election is set for 2026, preparations will gain momentum in 2025. We must remain vigilant, considering the possibility that China may attempt to manipulate public opinion and interfere in the election.
In the June 2024 prefectural assembly election, the ruling "All Okinawa" coalition suffered a significant defeat, with the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito securing a majority. As a result, the Tamaki administration can no longer prioritize its anti-base ideology in policymaking. This shift is evident in its inability to file new lawsuits aimed at halting the Henoko base construction.
Both the LDP and Komeito are urging the prefectural administration to realign its policies. Meanwhile, the governor remains committed to his anti-base ideology. The resulting tensions will likely increase as the focus on Japan's national security continues to rise.
Follow our special New Year's series, Predictions 2025.
RELATED:
- Okinawa, It's Still Important and Often Misunderstood
- Defense of Okinawa Depends On the Self-Determination of Japan
- INTERVIEW | Ken Weinstein of Hudson Institute on Forging Better Relations in Okinawa
Author: Makoto Nakashinjo, Editor-in-Chief, Yaeyama Nippo
このページを 日本語 で読む
