Japan is considering expanding an Okinawa-based ground force unit to defend remote southwestern islands and prepare for a contingency involving Taiwan in the face of China's increasing assertiveness, a government source close to the matter said Saturday.
In a move that could further heighten tensions with China, the Defense Ministry plans to increase the number of infantry regiments under the Ground Self-Defense Force's 15th brigade to two, as well as upgrade its highest rank from major general to general, the source said.
The planned changes — to be added to one of the three key security documents the government will revise later this month — are expected to effectively transform the unit into the equivalent of a division, which is higher in rank than a brigade.