Japan revives 1st marine unit since WW2 to counter China

In 2018, Beijing, which claims a group of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea controlled by Tokyo, will spend $ 176.56 billion on its armed forces, more than three times as much as Japan ◗

Tokyo, April 7: In the face of China’s growing maritime presence and threat in the region, Japan on Saturday activated its first marine unit since World War II trained to counter invaders and defend remote islands along the edge of the East China Sea that Tokyo fears are vulnerable.

In a ceremony held at a military base near Sasebo on the southwest island of Kyushu, about 1,500 members of the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade wearing camouflage lined up outside amid cold, windy weather.

“Given the increasingly difficult defence and security situation surrounding

Japan, defence of our islands has become a critical mandate,” Tomohiro Yamamoto, vice- defence minister, said in a speech.

The troops conducted a 20- minute mock public exercise recapturing a remote island from invaders. The formation of the Japanese marine brigade is controversial because amphibious units can project military force and could, critics warn, be used to threaten Japan’s neighbours. In its post World War II constitution Japan renounced the right to wage war.

The brigade is the latest component of a growing marine force that includes helicopter carriers, amphibious ships, Osprey tilt- rotor troop carriers and amphibious assault vehicles, meant to deter China as it pushes for easier access to the Western Pacific.

China is outpacing Japan in defence spending.