Japan accelerating defense buildup: report

• By William Hetherington / Staff writer

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Japan is accelerating its defense buildup on its southwestern islands amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the wider Indo-Pacific region, a Japanese daily reported.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense plans to upgrade the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s 15th Brigade, based in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, to a division this fiscal year in preparation for a potential Taiwan contingency, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Monday, citing government sources.

As part of the expansion, Japan would permanently deploy Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicles (MCVs) and new Armored Modular Vehicles (AMVs) at Naha Garrison for the first time. The vehicles are expected to play a key role in bolstering defenses across the southwestern islands.

The main entrance to the Japanese Ministry of Defense in Tokyo is pictured in an undated photograph.

Photo: CNA

The deployment of Type 16 MCVs is among the most significant changes. The eight-wheeled combat vehicle is equipped with a 105mm main gun and has a maximum speed of about 100kph.

Unlike traditional tracked tanks, the wheeled vehicles offer greater mobility on roads and are better suited to air transport, making them particularly useful for defending island terrain. Japan considers them a core component of its southwestern island defense strategy. They are expected to move quickly to coastal areas to repel potential enemy landings and deter incursions.

Japan deployed Type 16 MCVs from other units to Yonaguni Island, the country’s westernmost inhabited island, about 110km from Taiwan, for trials during joint US-Japan military exercises in 2022. The latest plan marks the first time the vehicles will be permanently stationed in the southwestern island chain.

Government sources said the ministry plans to deploy new AMVs, which offer enhanced troop protection and improved personnel transport capabilities, on Okinawa’s main island and the Sakishima Islands for the first time. Some AMVs have already arrived at Naha Garrison.

The expansion would also substantially increase the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s personnel strength in Okinawa.

With the upgrade from brigade to division, the unit’s strength is expected to increase from about 2,300 personnel to approximately 3,900.

At the infantry level, the number of infantry regiments would increase from one to two, significantly strengthening ground defences and the ability to hold defensive positions.

The defense ministry is also restructuring its command system to better integrate regional defences.

The self-defense force’s Western Army, which is responsible for defending Okinawa, plans to place the Miyako Security Force, based in Miyakojima, and the Yaeyama Security Force, based in Ishigaki, under the command of the upgraded 15th Division. Both units are currently directly subordinate to the Western Army.

The unified command structure is expected to improve coordination between forces on Okinawa’s main island and the Sakishima Islands.

Naha Garrison would also establish a new reconnaissance combat unit equipped with Type 16 MCVs to conduct rapid-response operations and frontline reconnaissance.