Japan Simulates War Against Invasion on Contested Island by China

Japan is holding a simulated military exercise against the threat of foreign invasion in the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands by China.

INDONEWTRAVEL.COM - Japan is reportedly conducting military exercises on an island in preparation for a "foreign invasion" on the Senkaku or Diaoyu islands which are in dispute with China.

Several Japanese government sources told Kyodo News that this exercise was attended by Japanese armed forces, coast guards and Japanese police on November 20.

The exercise was conducted on Tsutara Island, Goto, Nagasaki prefecture which is similar to Outsuri Island, part of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

The Japanese government claims the two-day military exercise was carried out to improve the response of the armed forces to emergency conditions in the archipelago.

Japan also emphasized that this exercise was not targeting a specific island or country, quoted by the South China Morning Post.

However, a source said that this exercise was conducted to enhance cooperation between the Japanese military navy and the coast guard in dealing with a 'grey zone' situation involving a full-scale military attack against Japan.

The source said that the Japanese government chose Tsutara Island because of its coastal shape and steep cliffs similar to Uotsuri Island. He also said that this exercise was carried out using helicopters and ships.

The 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters based in Naha, Okinawa prefecture, and the prefectural police team tasked with guarding remote islands also joined the exercise.

Japan's Cabinet Secretary on November 22 said that there were 400 troops participating in this exercise.

Japan and China have been in conflict for a long time over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. The islands were claimed by Japan in 1895.

However, China began to reclaim the islands in the 1970s on historical grounds. During this time, the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands were also under Japanese administration.

The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands are a strategic area located 170 kilometers north of Taiwan. The region is rich in natural gas and oil reserves, close to trade routes, and surrounded by rich fishing spots.

The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands dispute has long been a stumbling block in Japan-China relations. China frequently deploys patrol boats to the islands, sparking protests and concerns from Japan.