While Okinawa Prefecture marks 80 years since the end of the intense fighting there in the late stage of World War II, Japan is boosting its Self-Defense Forces' presence in the prefecture amid China's increasing military activities.

The Defense Ministry has launched new units in and around the island prefecture in the past decade, in a bid to counter China's threats, and there is a possibility of long-range missiles being deployed to Okinawa in the future. Locals worry that the prefecture may once again become a battleground in the event of a contingency.

The Nansei island chain, which spans roughly 1,200 kilometers from islands located south of the Kyushu southwestern region to areas around Okinawa's Yonaguni Island, the westernmost point of the country, had been called a "defense vacuum" due to the low SDF presence there, except on the main island of Okinawa.

To cope with steadily growing tensions amid China's maritime expansion in the East China Sea, the ministry has begun full-fledged efforts to boost the deterrence and response capabilities in the area.

"If there is a gap (in defense), that would allow China to do whatever it wants," a senior SDF official said.

The ministry launched for the Ground SDF a coast surveillance unit on Yonaguni in 2016, a security unit on Okinawa's Miyako Island in 2019, a security unit and a surface-to-ship guided missile unit on Amami Oshima — an island in Kagoshima Prefecture in the southernmost part of Kyushu — also in 2019, and a security unit on the Okinawa island of Ishigaki in 2023.

In 2024, a GSDF surface-to-ship missile regiment was established at the Katsuren camp in the city of Uruma on the Okinawa main island.

The Air SDF's Southwestern Composite Air Division in the Okinawa capital of Naha was upgraded to the Southwestern Air Defense Force in 2017.

Additionally, the GSDF's 15th Brigade in Naha is set to be upgraded to a division in fiscal 2026. The rank of its leader will be raised from major general to lieutenant general, and the number of personnel will increase from about 2,500 to 3,000, who will constitute two regiments, up from one regiment at present.

The SDF aims to enhance its presence in terms of both quality and quantity for flexible operations to tackle a possible contingency in the Taiwan Strait.

"We will accept troops from all over the country and work closely with local communities," a senior official of the SDF Joint Staff said.

Meanwhile, the SDF buildup has spurred concerns across the political spectrum in Okinawa.

"A certain level of (defense) preparations is necessary considering the threat from China, but imposing further burdens (on Okinawa) is intolerable," a conservative member of the Okinawa prefectural assembly said, warning against the SDF's excessive presence in the Nansei area.

During the Battle of Okinawa, a fierce ground engagement in the late phase of WWII, there were tragic events such as former Japanese troops killing residents who were suspected of being spies. These horrendous incidents ingrained in the people of Okinawa the belief that military personnel do not protect residents.

As a result, the SDF has faced intense scrutiny from people in Okinawa. After Okinawa's return to Japan from U.S. rule in 1972, the SDF suffered harassment including its facilities being defaced with graffiti and garbage trucks avoiding collection at housing for SDF personnel.

The SDF has sought to gain local understanding through activities including disposal of unexploded shells, emergency transportation of patients from remote islands and disaster relief.

Strengthening the defense capabilities in the Nansei region "will reduce the possibility of an armed attack on our country, leading to the safety of the people," Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told a news conference Friday.

However, many in Okinawa remain deeply worried over the SDF's growing presence. Last year, the Defense Ministry was forced to scrap a plan to build a new GSDF training site in Uruma, amid cross-party opposition.

The prefecture strongly opposes the possible deployment of Japanese-made long-range missiles to Okinawa as part of the central government's efforts to build counterstrike capability, or the ability to strike enemy bases.

"Strengthening deterrence will instead increase tensions in the region," Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki has warned repeatedly.