The Japanese Conservative Union held a special symposium in Okinawa to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa back to Japan. Okinawa Prefecture plays a critical role in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. This is due to both its geographical location and the fact that it hosts several U.S. military bases.
The purpose of this seminar was not only to celebrate the reversion but to help make the people of Okinawa aware of the national security challenges Japan faces. The reversion agreement included the Senkaku Islands, to which China lays a claim. In recent years, China has ramped up its incursions on the Senkaku Islands, challenging Japan’s territorial sovereignty. Considering the danger and injustice behind China’s repression in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, and their aspirations to annex Taiwan, Japan needs to be prepared to defend itself alongside the U.S. At this seminar, Chairman Jay Aeba and former Representative Takashi Nagao tackle the national security dilemma facing Japan in an effort to make the public aware of Okinawa’s importance in defending Japan.
