The government of Japan has unveiled guidelines for the construction of underground shelters on several outlying islands in Okinawa Prefecture, with a focus on areas like Yonaguni, Miyako, and Ishigaki. This initiative was prompted by a shift in Japan's defense strategy, which involved relocating military assets like anti-aircraft missile batteries and surface-to-ship missile launchers to Nansei chain islands from Kyushu's main southern island to enhance defense capabilities in the region amidst rising tensions involving Taiwan and potential military activities by China.
While evacuation plans exist in these municipalities in case of military conflict, the newly proposed shelters aim to provide a secure location for residents who may be unable to evacuate in time. The shelters, set to be built at public facilities with financial support from the central government, would have reinforced concrete walls, provisions for food and water to last two weeks, and approximately two square meters of space per evacuee for their comfort and safety.
The plan for these shelters was triggered by the establishment of Ground Self-Defense Force bases on islands like Yonaguni, Miyako, and Ishigaki dating back to 2016, reflecting a broader effort to enhance defense readiness in the region. Experts, like Keio University's Professor Ken Jimbo, have commended the government's recognition of the potential crisis over Taiwan but also emphasized the necessity of comprehensive crisis management strategies that consider the implications of military conflict, akin to a major natural disaster. Governor Denny Tamaki of Okinawa has urged the government to prioritize diplomatic efforts for peace-building rather than solely focusing on military infrastructure, highlighting the historical trauma of Okinawa which suffered heavy civilian casualties during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.