Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.
Defence Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters on Friday that the protests had forced the Japanese Self-Defence Forces to alter their training programme on Miyako Island. Japanese and US troops were taking part in the 14-day Resolute Dragon 25, one of the largest bilateral exercises ever held in Okinawa. The drills began on September 12, and will end on Thursday.
“Due to acts of disruption, we were forced to change the content of the Self-Defence Forces’ training on Miyako Island on the 13th [of September],” he said. “This is extremely regrettable.”
Nakatani said he did not object to people expressing their opinions. But he added: “I intend to conduct training in a way that does not cause inconvenience. I would like the protests to be conducted with common sense and tolerance.”
