Taiwan

Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main island of Taiwan, also known as Formosa, lies between the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south. It has an area of 35,808 square kilometres (13,826 square miles), with mountain ranges dominating the eastern two-thirds and plains in the western third, where its highly urbanized population is concentrated. The combined territories under ROC control consist of 168 islands in total covering 36,193 square kilometres (13,974 square miles). The largest metropolitan area is formed by Taipei (the capital), New Taipei City, and Keelung. With around 23.9 million inhabitants, Taiwan is among the most densely populated countries. [w]

New Yonaguni Mayor Wary of Increased JSDF Deployments

From The Japan Times:

Uechi, 61, who was elected mayor of the westernmost Japan town for the first time in Sunday's election, has shown understanding of the deployment of Self-Defense Forces in the town but takes a cautious stance on expanding defense capabilities further.

In 2016, the government opened the Ground SDF's Camp Yonaguni in the town to enhance the defense system for the Nansei island chain in southwestern Japan. A missile unit is planned for future deployment.

Going to both sides this one as Yonaguni is literally on the front line of a future China-Taiwan conflict and increasing national defense there is an obvious goal. But it is the same old story in Okinawa, more guns and no peace.

Yonaguni to Lose its Last Doctor on the Island

Manami Shimada from The Yomiuri Shimbun:

Yonaguni Island, Japan’s westernmost remote island in Okinawa Prefecture, might not have a single doctor from next spring as the island’s only clinic will be unable to secure one, partly due to a possible contingency in Taiwan.

A Tokyo based medical association, which has dispatched doctors to the town of Yonaguni, has indicated that it would stop sending them, raising concerns among those living on the island, which is located only about 110 kilometers from Taiwan.

While it is understandable that many fear the impact of a possible war in Taiwan, an island community without medical care is not a community at all. Give them hazard pay, recruit from overseas, whatever is necessary to keep Yonaguni alive.

Taiwan and Japan Sign Agreement to Manage Immigration Issues During Crisis

From The Yomiuri Shimbun:

The memorandum will allow Japan to receive information on non-Japanese people who seek entry to Japan from Taiwan, according to the sources. This will help Japan more effectively screen individuals and determine who may pose a threat to domestic security in the wake of a contingency. Under the memorandum, travelers bound for Japan will also receive a pre-departure check at Taiwan airports outside of contingencies.

“Chinese agents could enter Japan by concealing themselves among Taiwanese nationals,” a Japanese source warned.

The article notes how unusual this kind of agreement is and it is kinda chilling that there is public-level planning for this situation. But best to be prepared rather than improvise in the chaos.