## Japan Upgrades Airports and Seaports for Military Use
Japan is upgrading five civilian airports and 11 seaports for use by the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) to strengthen the nation's defense capabilities. The upgrades, designated on April 1st, will allow the SDF and JCG to use these facilities for training, transportation, evacuation, and disaster response.
The designated airports are Kita-Kyushu, Nagasaki, Fukue, Miyazaki, and Naha. The seaports include Muroran, Tomakomai, Kushiro, Rumoi, Ishikari-wan Shinko, Takamatsu, Kochi, Susaki, Sukumo-wan, Hakata, and Ishigaki.
The upgrades are part of a plan outlined in Japan's 2022 National Security Strategy to strengthen defense by developing public infrastructure facilities. The government prioritized facilities in the Nansei Islands, including Okinawa Prefecture, due to concerns over a potential military conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
While some local governments welcomed the designation, others expressed concerns about the facilities becoming targets for military attacks. The government plans to continue discussions with remaining local governments to designate more facilities.
Professor Akihiro Sado, a national security expert, criticized the government's unilateral approach, arguing that it lacks explanation to local governments and residents and fails to consider civilian protection in emergencies.