Retired Japan, US officers join simulation in Taiwan on possible attack by China
Former Japanese Self-Defense Forces and US military officers have taken part in a simulation to respond to possible attack by China on Taiwan.
Private-sector groups in Taiwan organized the event in Taipei on Tuesday and Wednesday.
It was attended by former officers from Taiwan and 17 retired officers from Japan and the US. They included retired General Iwasaki Shigeru, former chief of staff of the SDF Joint Staff, and retired Admiral Michael Mullen, former chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The simulation -- assuming that China were to launch an armed attack on Taiwan in 2030 -- was held behind closed doors.
The participants discussed possible moves by China and responses by Taiwan, the US and Japan.
At a news conference on Wednesday they said it is important to boost Taiwan's defense capabilities, including employing "asymmetric" defense using cheap, mobile weapons. They also recommended strengthening deterrence against China through cooperation among countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
Takei Tomohisa, a senior fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation and a retired admiral in the Maritime Self-Defense Force, said the most important thing for Japan to do is improve its defense capabilities and deterrent power while maintaining lines of communication with Taiwan.
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