Andrew Salmon
A version of this story appeared in the daily Threat Status newsletter from The Washington Times. Click here to receive Threat Status delivered directly to your inbox each weekday.
BANGKOK, Thailand — Beijing’s hybrid war tactics are fueling fierce blowback in Japan and the Philippines, two U.S.-allied island nations ideally suited to thwart a Chinese encirclement or blockade of Taiwan.
Dressed in a fatigue jacket and flanked by tactically uniformed members of the Ground Self Defense Force, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi spoke to the media on Yonaguni island, just 65 miles off Taiwan, Sunday about the emplacement of medium-range air-defense systems.
Mr. Koizumi delivered a stern message sure to be heard in Beijing, where China’s communist government, infuriated by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks equating Taiwanese security and Japanese security, has been blistering Tokyo via rhetorical, diplomatic and economic channels.
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