concept

A former Japanese defense official says he believes Taiwan is at the center
of a new "one-theater" defense concept - which Japan reportedly proposed to
the United States earlier this year in response to growing security threats
posed by China.

During a conference organized by the Dan-Jiang University, Kiyoshi Ogawa said
Japan's defense minister reportedly proposed the "one-theater" approach to
his American counterpart Pete Hegseth during their meeting in Tokyo on March
30.

The new concept identifies the East China Sea, the South China Sea, the
Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas as one theater where military
operations are conducted during wartime.

Historically, these areas have been treated separately.

Ogawa said Taiwan is definitely at the center of the "one theater" concept
and while detering China is a very difficult proposal - he believes it can be
done with joint efforts by regional partners.