Latest news with #ShigeruIwasaki
South China Morning Post
14-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Taiwan war game triggers US questions over island's ‘will to fight' if PLA attacks
high-level civilian war game held in Taipei this week has exposed serious vulnerabilities in Taiwan's defences of its outer perimeter and eastern regions, prompting a retired US admiral to warn that Washington's involvement depended on 'Taiwan's will to fight'. Advertisement In the exercise simulating a 2030 cross-strait conflict, Taiwan lost control of key outlying territories – most notably Penghu, a group of islands 50km (30 miles) east of the main island – as the People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched a multifront assault that quickly outpaced Taiwan's initial response. The two-day simulation, organised by three Taiwanese think tanks led by the Taipei School of Economics and Political Science, is one of the most detailed publicly conducted strategic exercises modelling a full-scale assault by mainland Chinese forces. It reflects mounting concerns among local strategists and retired military leaders that Taiwan's eastern flank and offshore islands remain dangerously exposed amid intensifying PLA threats The result of the war game – whether the PLA seized Taiwan – or when the final outcome will be confirmed has not been made public, but the organisers said they would issue a full report. Advertisement Four teams represented Taiwan, the United States, Japan and mainland China, overseen by a control group. Notable participants included Michael Mullen, a former chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff; Dennis Blair, a former US Pacific commander; and Shigeru Iwasaki, former chief of staff of Japan's Self-Defence Forces. Nine retired Taiwanese generals and admirals, including Lee Hsi-min, former chief of the general staff; and eight lieutenant generals also took part.
South China Morning Post
21-03-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Beijing protests over former Japanese military chief's Taiwan adviser role
Beijing has protested to Tokyo over the appointment of a former Japanese military chief as an adviser to the Taiwanese government. Advertisement Taiwanese media reported on Friday that Shigeru Iwasaki, former chief of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defence Forces (JSDF) and a four-star air force general, had been confirmed as an honorary adviser to the Executive Yuan, the Taiwanese government's highest administrative body. An official from the Executive Yuan did not give details of the position but was quoted as saying they were 'willing to listen to and promote any administrative proposal [from the adviser] as long as it is beneficial to Taiwan's development'. The post is unpaid. 01:01 Donald Trump declines to say if US would defend Taiwan against mainland China attack Donald Trump declines to say if US would defend Taiwan against mainland China attack In Beijing, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning repeated Beijing's position that Taiwan was an inseparable part of China and any external interference on this issue would not be tolerated. Advertisement
Japan Times
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Taiwan names Japan's ex-SDF chief as Cabinet consultant
Taiwan named a former head of the Japanese defense forces as an adviser, according to officials in the Taiwanese government, a move that comes as the two governments deal with China's increasing assertiveness. Shigeru Iwasaki, the chief of staff of the Self-Defense Forces from 2012 through 2014, was named a consultant to Taiwan's Cabinet, said the two officials who asked not to be identified discussing the sensitive issue. The Cabinet usually doesn't announce such appointments, one of the officials said.
Bloomberg
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Taiwan Names Japan's Former Defense Chief as Cabinet Consultant
Taiwan named a former head of the Japanese defense forces as an adviser, according to officials in the archipelago's government, a move coming as the two governments deal with China's increasing assertiveness. Shigeru Iwasaki, the chief of staff of Japan's Self-Defense Forces from 2012 through 2014, was named a consultant to Taiwan's cabinet, said the two officials who asked not to be identified discussing the sensitive issue.
