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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Japan Frontline Island TV
HEADLINE: Taiwan Tensions Fuel Anxiety on Japan’s Tiny Yonaguni Island
TEASER: Residents worry about conflict as island becomes military outpost
PUBLISHED AT: 03/24/2023 at 10:40am
BYLINE: William Gallo
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: YONAGUNI ISLAND, JAPAN
VIDEOGRAPHER: Gallo, Park Kiho
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Steve Hirsch, wpm
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA, Reuters, AFP
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:07
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: ))
[[((INTRO)) As Japan lifts its postwar military restraints, perhaps nowhere is feeling the change more than the remote island of Yonaguni. Located not far from Taiwan, the tiny Japanese island is slowly being transformed into a military outpost. The concern of many residents is being caught in conflict between China and the self-governing island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own. VOA’s Bill Gallo visited Yonaguni and has this report.]]
((NARRATOR))
Sunrise on one of Japan's most remote, and beautiful, islands.
Here on Yonaguni Island, wild native horses roam free along rugged coastlines.
This is so far from the rest of Japan, sometimes it feels untouched by humans.
The few who are here enjoy a serenity hard to find in other parts of the country.
But trouble is just over the horizon.
((Bill Gallo, VOA News))
“Where I’m standing is the westernmost point in Japan. Taiwan is right behind me. It’s so close that in fact Taiwan is visible on a clear day.”
[[Alternate narration for house version]]
“This is the westernmost point in Japan. Taiwan is just over 100 kilometers away – so close it's visible on clear days.”
((NARRATOR))
((Mandatory on-screen courtesy: PLA Eastern Theatre Command))
That has brought problems. During U.S.-China tensions last year, a Chinese missile that flew over Taiwan landed just 80 kilometers from Yonaguni.
For fishermen who make their living in those waters, it was unsettling.
((Shigenori Takenishi, Head of Yonaguni Fishing Cooperative))
((In Japanese, male voice))
“Missile launches can’t always be 100% accurate — it’s a human activity. So it’s very frightening. Almost all the fishermen here are afraid.”
((NARRATOR)
Taiwan isn’t the only danger. Yonaguni is also close to a group of islands claimed by both Japan and China.
Kotaro Kobari often fishes for tuna near the disputed islands, which have seen more Chinese patrols.
((Kotaro Kobari, Yonaguni Fisherman))
((Male voice, in Japanese))
“Recently, they chase you. They follow you. They approach you. The Chinese coast guard, I think. It’s outrageous.”
((NARRATOR))
A fisherman on the frontlines of China-Japan tensions — a fight he didn’t ask for.
((Kotaro Kobari, Yonaguni Fisherman))
((Male voice, in Japanese))
“If they hit me, there’s no way I can win that contest. It’s scary when a boat that big gets so close.”
((NARRATOR))
For Yonaguni, the tensions have brought big changes.
In 2016, a military base was established here, mainly for surveillance.
Soon, Japan will bring missiles – part of a broader military buildup in historically pacifist Japan.
For now, Yonaguni doesn’t feel militarized. But many locals worry it’s only a matter of time.
((Fumie Kano, Hostel Owner))
((Female voice, in Japanese))
“Having more military equipment now doesn’t make us feel more secure. Having military equipment causes war. We shouldn’t be doing this here.”
((NARRATOR))
Fumie Kano was born and raised in Yonaguni. Even if a war broke out, she says she wouldn’t leave.
((Fumie Kano, Hostel Owner))
((Female voice, in Japanese))
“I’d die on this island if it came to that. It’d be terrible. I love this island. I want to live here forever… ((she pauses for a couple seconds)) …I’m angry at this policy that could ruin our lives.”
((NARRATOR))
But with a declining population, many residents welcome any economic help.
((Shigenori Takenishi, Head of Yonaguni Fishing Cooperative))
((In Japanese, male voice))
“These benefits are what led us to invite the self-defense forces to the island. Of course, there was opposition. There was also a referendum. But we’re overcoming those obstacles.”
((NARRATOR))
Mixed feelings and no easy answers. As Yonaguni tries to stay at peace in a region full of conflict.
((Bill Gallo. VOA News. Yonaguni Island, Japan))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)YONAGUNI ISLAND, JAPAN
BylineWilliam Gallo
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
