Japan prepares evacuation plan for 100,000 civilians amid Taiwan conflict fears

Contingency plan for civilian safety in the event of escalating conflict with China.
Text: Óscar Ontañón Docal
Published 2025-03-28

The latest news on Japan. The country has unveiled its first-ever comprehensive plan to evacuate up to 100,000 civilians, including both residents and tourists, from its remote islands near Taiwan in the event of escalating regional conflict.

With mounting fears of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, Japan has committed to mobilising ships and planes to relocate people from the Sakishima chain in Okinawa prefecture, ensuring their safety across eight southwestern Japanese prefectures.

The government has also planned evacuation drills to begin next year as tensions with China escalate. In addition to this evacuation strategy, Japan is reinforcing its defences with missile units on Yonaguni, an island just 100 kilometres from Taiwan.

Taipei, Taiwan - August 24th 2024 - Taipei Songshan Airport

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