U.S. and Japanese troops fire High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, and M270 multiple rocket-launchers during the Keen Sword exercise on the northern island of Hokkaido, Oct. 24, 2024. (Rodney Frye/U.S. Marine Corps)
TOKYO — U.S. forces plan to dig in on Japan’s southernmost islands and in the Philippines if China invades Taiwan, according to a Japanese news agency.
The deployments would happen under a plan being prepared by the United States and Japan, Kyodo News reported Monday, citing anonymous sources familiar with U.S.-Japan relations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated his intent to reunite the self-governing and democratic island with mainland China, by force if necessary.
A Marine littoral regiment armed with HIMARS — High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems — would be sent to Japan’s southwestern Nansei islands, between Okinawa and Taiwan, according to Kyodo’s sources. Japanese forces would provide logistical support to the Marines.
Littoral regiments typically consist of about 2,000 Marines and are intended to be able to rapidly deploy to islands, coastlines and observation posts along chokepoints.
In November, the Okinawa-based 12th Marine Regiment was transformed into the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment. The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment was launched in Hawaii in March 2022. The service plans to establish another littoral regiment on Guam.
“The 12th Marine Littoral Regiment will integrate with the Joint Force and the capabilities of our allies and partners, supporting deterrence efforts, and remaining prepared to respond to potential crises,” 1st Lt. Isabel Izquierdo, a spokeswoman for the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, told Stars and Stripes by email Monday.
Meanwhile, a U.S. Army multidomain task force would deploy to the Philippines under the plan reported by Kyodo. They operate in the air, land, sea, space, cyber and information domains.
U.S. Army Pacific’s 1st Multi-Domain Task Force at Joint Base Fort Lewis-McChord, Wash., has sent troops to train in Japan in recent years.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense and U.S. Army Japan did not immediately respond to questions emailed Monday about Kyodo’s report.
Any Marine would look at a map of Taiwan and surrounding area and suggest putting missiles nearby, said retired Marine Col. Grant Newsham, a senior researcher with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies in Tokyo.
“Nansei Shoto (Japan’s southernmost islands) and northern Philippines practically have signs in them saying ‘put missiles here,’” he said by email Monday. “Even non-military types can figure it out.”
Missile deployments could help break a blockade of Taiwan, but their real use is in the event of an all-out fight or as deterrence, Newsham said.
The reported joint operations plan “demonstrates a higher degree of willingness of both nations to defend their interests - by fighting, if necessary,” he said.
Stars and Stripes reporter Hana Kusumoto contributed to this report.
