The Latest Breaking News from Okinawa

Chinese ‘purchase’ of Japanese island causes stir

BEIJING: A Chinese woman’s claim that she has purchased an uninhabited island in Okinawa Prefecture of Japan has caused a stir online, with some expressing envy and others dubbing the move “an expansion of Chinese territory”.

Bangkok Post · Feb 11, 2023

At 2+2 meeting, allies agree to bolster defense of Nansei Islands

WASHINGTON -- The Japanese and U.S. governments clearly showed Wednesday a resolve to boost defense capabilities in the Nansei Islands, which span Kyushu and Okinawa Prefecture, amid lingering concerns that a contingency could occur regarding Taiwan.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Jan 12, 2023

Explainer: Why the U.S. is overhauling its marines on Japan's Okinawa

The United States plans to shake up its marine force on Japan's Okinawa islands as Tokyo undertakes its biggest military build up since World War Two that will double defence spending over five years to deter China from attacking Taiwan or nearby Japanese islands.

Reuters · Jan 11, 2023

The Mosquito Bowl: ‘Three hours of pure joy’ amid the horrors of war

A new book by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Buzz Bissinger brings to light a most unusual football game on the Pacific island of Guadalcanal during the second world war

The Guardian - US · Dec 20, 2022

Chinese carrier fleet sails near Okinawa

A Chinese Navy fleet of six warships, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning, sailed through waters between Okinawa and Miyako islands, both in Okinawa Prefecture, into the Pacific Ocean on Friday, the Defense Ministry announced on the day.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Dec 17, 2022

China Sends Ships into Pacific amid Japan Security Moves

A squadron of Chinese Navy ships sailed through straits near Japan into the Western Pacific this week, while Beijing on Friday blasted Tokyo's adoption of a new national security strategy putting itself on a more offensive footing — largely as a result of the perceived threat from China. The destroyers…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Dec 16, 2022

'Taiwan contingency' prompts evacuation drill on Yonaguni

YONAGUNI, Okinawa -- Yonaguni Island, Japan's westernmost island, held its first evacuation drill on Wednesday over possible ballistic missile strikes.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Dec 4, 2022

Govt eyes creation of Okinawa defense group within GSDF

The Defense Ministry is considering establishing a group within the Ground Self-Defense Force to defend the Nansei island chain, which comprises Okinawa Prefecture and parts of southern Kyushu.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Dec 3, 2022

Joint exercise held amid Taiwan tension

Japan and the United States have wrapped up their largest joint military exercise, Keen Sword, amid an unprecedented sense of urgency, as the possibility of a real Taiwan crisis has come to the fore. The drills, conducted in the Nansei Islands, stretched from the southern tip of Kyushu to Okinawa…

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Nov 20, 2022

'World's strongest fighter jet' heading for Kadena

The U.S. military is considering gradually retiring F-15 fighter jets stationed at its Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture and replacing them with enhanced fighters over about two years, according to Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Nov 2, 2022