Secret Joint Operation Plan

It must have been done under pressure. Asahi Shimbun reported on Sunday that Japanese Self-defense Force and United States Force had made a draft for joint operation in the possible contingency around Senkaku Islands in 2012. It would be in other words a war plan against China. By the administrative change from Democratic Party of Japan to Liberal Democratic Party at the end of 2012, the draft did not become an official operational plan.

Although the territorial issue over Senkakus existed as early as 1970, when Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka and Chinese Leader Deng Xiaoping agreed on sending the issue to future generation, a right-wing governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, brought that issue again by declaring purchase of the island to change status quo. Then Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda made matters worse by nationalizing Senkaku Island, even though it was to avoid unnecessary trouble made by an eccentric governor firmly against China. China got furious and started sending official ships around Senkakus, which situation still exists there.

According to Asahi, based on an agreement between defense ministers that Japan-United States Security Treaty would be applied to a contingency in Senkakus, both governments of Japan and U.S. began to consider joint operation plan. With signs of highly ranked officers of Self-defense Force and U.S. Force, the plan was submitted to Prime Minister or Secretary.

The first phase of joint operation is a situation that is not clear whether it is a matter of police or military, such as the landing of Chinese militia, pretending to be fishermen, on Senkaku Islands and occupying them. Joint operation would take four-step measures; enhancing patrol from sea and air before the landing, cutting supply route for landed militia, striking landed militia with fire and air raid, and recovering the islands by landing of joint forces. The operation would be done with subjective action of Japan and appropriate cooperation of U.S.

Asahi reported that U.S. President Barack Obama considered negative impact of the joint operation plan on China. Not to stimulate Chinese administration, Obama avoided connecting the plan to the contingency in Taiwan Straits. But, after significant advance of China to Pacific Ocean, Japan and U.S. recognized necessity of making detailed plan to deal with it. After the meeting of Japanese Defense Minister and U.S. Secretary of Defense last November, both governments started discussion for new plan, partly based on the draft in 2012. It would deal with greater penetration of Chinese Force.