The Japan-US Taiwan Contingency Plan: Less Than Meets the Eye

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters fly alongside two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers assigned before joining up with two Koku Jieitai F-15J fighters in Japanese airspace near Kyushu, Japan, on Aug. 31, 2017. (Japan Air Self-Defense Force)Japan Air Self-Defense Force

Commentary

The Kyodo News reported on Dec. 23 that the U.S. and Japanese militaries have written a draft plan for a “Taiwan contingency” and may soon draw up an “official” plan. The uninitiated might think the Americans and the Japanese are finally going to buckle down and develop a real joint operational plan to handle a Taiwan contingency.