"Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has taught Taiwan many lessons about preparing for a possible Chinese invasion. Japan should also take this opportunity to learn. What more can Japan’s Self-Defense Forces do to prepare given their inevitable participation in any potential conflict over Taiwan?
Based on the Chinese Communist Party’s unwavering resolve to annex Taiwan, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been developing air and naval forces as the major element of anti-access/area denial capability. Now, PLA air and naval assets can reach beyond the first island chain into the Western Pacific. However, Beijing does not control any land in the first island chain. Therefore, the PLA needs to secure, by force, passages for their air and naval assets to gain access deeper into the Pacific Ocean. The PLA’s shortest passages from China’s mainland to the Pacific Ocean are on the north and south sides of Taiwan. The former is through Japan’s Southwest Islands between Japan’s mainland and Taiwan, and the latter is through the Luzon Strait between Taiwan and the Philippines. The former consists of about 200 islands and is about 650 nautical miles (1,200 kilometers) long. The latter consists of about 35 islands and is about 135 nautical miles (250 kilometers) long. Both areas are only 270 to 430 nautical miles (500 to 800 kilometers) away from China’s mainland and, in the event of a conflict, would likely be exposed to fierce PLA attack to secure air and naval passages."
Based on the Chinese Communist Party’s unwavering resolve to annex Taiwan, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been developing air and naval forces as the major element of anti-access/area denial capability. Now, PLA air and naval assets can reach beyond the first island chain into the Western Pacific. However, Beijing does not control any land in the first island chain. Therefore, the PLA needs to secure, by force, passages for their air and naval assets to gain access deeper into the Pacific Ocean. The PLA’s shortest passages from China’s mainland to the Pacific Ocean are on the north and south sides of Taiwan. The former is through Japan’s Southwest Islands between Japan’s mainland and Taiwan, and the latter is through the Luzon Strait between Taiwan and the Philippines. The former consists of about 200 islands and is about 650 nautical miles (1,200 kilometers) long. The latter consists of about 35 islands and is about 135 nautical miles (250 kilometers) long. Both areas are only 270 to 430 nautical miles (500 to 800 kilometers) away from China’s mainland and, in the event of a conflict, would likely be exposed to fierce PLA attack to secure air and naval passages."
How Japan Can Help Save Taiwan: Securing the First Island Chain - War on the Rocks
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has taught Taiwan many lessons about preparing for a possible Chinese invasion. Japan should also take this opportunity to
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