China threatens the Japanese islands of Okinawa

TokyoJapan's Ministry of Defense is on alert following the first incursions by Chinese People's Liberation Army drones into the country's southwestern airspace, off the islands of Okinawa Prefecture. Among the devices detected by the Self-Defense Forces (the Japanese military), the presence of the Chinese GJ-2 drone stands out for the first time. This drone, designed for reconnaissance and attack missions, along with other surveillance and patrol aircraft.

This drone, easily identifiable by its V-shaped tail and the ability to carry missiles and bombs, was observed flying over the airspace between Okinawa and Miyako Island before heading out into the Pacific. Once near Amami Oshima Island, it turned and returned to the East China Sea, from which it had originated. In response, the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force deployed fighter jets to monitor and escort the unmanned aircraft out of Japanese airspace.

In addition to the GJ-2, the Chinese air force deployed another reconnaissance drone and two Y-9 manned aircraft: one specialized in electronic reconnaissance and the other in maritime patrol. The seriousness of the situation was already reflected in the joint statement following the last Japan-US summit, chaired by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and US President Donald Trump. This document marked a turning point because, for the first time, explicit reference was made to the "growing bilateral presence in the islands off southwestern Japan" as part of efforts to strengthen and consolidate the alliance between the two countries in the face of security challenges in the region, particularly Chinese military activity.

Military decision-making with AI, an option on the table

At the Self-Defense Forces air base in Naha, in the south of Okinawa, ARA interviewed Rear Admiral Takuhiro Hiraki, commander of the 5th Fleet Air Wing of the Southwest Air Defense Force: "Our operations are conducted in our operations: de-escalation and ensuring that any response is measured and appropriate." However, when we asked what kind of responses they envision, he retreated: "I cannot provide specific details on conflict prevention measures."

"Our primary mission is surveillance and ensuring the security of Japan's territorial waters: we provide support when necessary, maintaining close cooperation with other forces to ensure effective monitoring and response," Hiraki notes. "Adapting to new technologies is a priority for us: while we continue to efficiently use conventional systems, we are also training personnel to manage advanced technologies," the rear admiral notes.

In this regard, sources from the Japanese Ministry of Defense indicate to the ARA that they are working in different technological fields and believe that "factors such as rapid decision-making through artificial intelligence, non-kinetic interception capabilities, including directed-energy lasers and high-barrier microwaves, and technology related to unmanned aerial vehicles will have a major impact on the construction of multi-layered air defense systems." Furthermore, the ministry assures that they will continue to strictly implement conventional surveillance and warning measures in Japanese air and maritime space.

Contingency plan to evacuate the island closest to Taiwan

Just over 100 kilometers from Taiwan, on Yonaguni Island, the calm is only apparent. On this island, the westernmost in Japan with nearly 1,700 inhabitants, Shigenori Takenishi, the head of the fishermen's cooperative, confirmed to ARA the increased Chinese naval and air presence in recent months. Takenishi reports that Chinese military vessels are increasingly approaching their fishing grounds between Yonaguni and the Senkaku Islands. in dispute between Japan and China (which calls them Diaoyu), and which are rich in blue marlin and bluefin tuna, which is causing concern among fishermen.

"We try to be pragmatic and avoid going out when we detect their presence, especially if they are large ships," explains Takenishi. "Of course it is a threat, there is no doubt about it: recently, we have seen many ships, including some aircraft carriers," he adds, pointing to the horizon from the island's port.

The island's mayor, Kenichi Itokazu, shares Takenishi's impressions regarding the Chinese threat. In an office full of memorabilia and plaques with Taiwanese and Japanese flags, the result of his historical relations of friendship with Taipei, the mayor is pleased to have a garrison with a contingent of around 200 members of the Self-Defense Forces on the island, so that theThe gradual increase in Chinese military ships and aircraft in the surrounding area was generating some uncertainty.. "When it comes to the Chinese military... it's quite terrifying, we perceive it as a threat."

Regarding their Taiwanese neighbors, the feeling is diametrically opposed. "Before the area for naval training is designated by the Taiwanese military, we are informed of the intention through the official agency and are warned not to go fishing," explains the mayor. "In this sense, we don't really feel any antagonism toward Taiwan." However, the mayor reveals that ultimately they have a contingency and evacuation plan by air to Fukuoka—outside the Okinawa headquarters—which, in the event of an attack, provides for evacuation of the island within a few hours. "We know that not everyone will want to leave, but whoever wants to can leave," emphasizes Itokazu.