Japan plans evacuation of 120,000 from Okinawa in crisis

Japan has announced a contingency plan to evacuate approximately 120,000 people from the Sakishima Islands in Okinawa Prefecture due to escalating tensions surrounding Taiwan, which China views as a territory to reclaim. The plan includes the transportation of around 110,000 residents and 10,000 tourists within six days using ships and aircraft to eight southwestern and western prefectures. Evacuation drills are scheduled for April 2026, focusing on the logistics of moving evacuees via private ferries and planes to designated locations. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized that the plan aims to enhance preparedness for potential armed conflicts, reflecting Japan's commitment to national security articulated in its updated 2022 strategy. The proximity of islands like Yonaguni to Taiwan, which is only about 100 kilometers away, has raised concerns about military flashpoints that could involve the U.S. and Japan. The plan represents a significant step in Japan's defense strategy amid increasing military pressure from China on Taiwan.