## 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 bolster the nation's defense capabilities. These facilities, designated as "specified use airports and seaports" on April 1, 2023, are located in seven prefectures across the country.
The central government has secured consent from local authorities for the upgrades. In the current fiscal year, 37 billion yen ($244 million) has been allocated to extend runways and improve berths to accommodate SDF and JCG aircraft and vessels.
During ordinary times, the SDF and JCG will utilize these facilities for training, transportation of goods, evacuation of people, and disaster responses. The five airports include Kita-Kyushu, Nagasaki and Fukue in Nagasaki Prefecture, Miyazaki, and Naha. The 11 seaports are located in Hokkaido, Kochi Prefecture, Fukuoka Prefecture, and Okinawa Prefecture.
This initiative to upgrade public infrastructure for defense purposes aligns with Japan's National Security Strategy established in 2022. Initially, 38 airports and seaports were considered for designation, and the government engaged in discussions with local authorities. However, some local governments expressed concerns about designated facilities becoming potential targets for military attacks during emergencies.
The government intends to continue discussions with remaining local authorities to designate additional facilities. The southwestern Nansei Islands, including Okinawa Prefecture, were prioritized due to growing concerns over a potential military conflict in the nearby Taiwan Strait.
Ishigaki Mayor Yoshitaka Nakayama welcomed the designation of Ishigaki Port, stating that it would enhance deterrence and facilitate rapid disaster responses. However, Naha Airport, administered by the central government, was designated, while New Ishigaki Airport and Yonaguni Airport, both on the government's candidate list and administered by the prefectural government, were not.
No facility was designated in Kagoshima Prefecture, where discussions with the central government were ongoing. Kagawa Governor Toyohito Ikeda emphasized that Takamatsu Port will continue to be primarily used for civilian purposes despite the designation.
Akihiro Sado, a national security expert at Chukyo University, expressed concerns about the government's unilateral approach to the project, prioritizing military needs without adequate explanation to local authorities and residents. He highlighted the lack of consideration for protecting and evacuating people in emergency situations.