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Japan's front line: Okinawa and the China threat

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Mi Tang | Yu-Chieh Chang
August 20, 2025

Eighty years after World War II, Japan is boosting its defenses on its strategic front line, Okinawa, in response to China's assertiveness. DW's Inside Asian Conflict explores Tokyo's shifting strategy.

As tensions rise over Taiwan, Japan's Okinawa is emerging as a potential frontline. The island hosts major US military bases and is central to Japan's defense strategy amid China's growing assertiveness. With new drills, airspace violations, and evacuation plans, Japan is boosting its military presence while locals fear becoming battlegrounds. The US-Japan alliance faces new tests as regional conflict looms.

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