A C

Former Guest lecturer at Nagoya University, interested in military history, int law, geopolitics, and defence and security policy. Asia,Space,Polar R, Falklands

[Bella Wallersteiner 🇺🇦 @BellaWallerstei]

The Chagos Islands deal is such a betrayal of our own interests. We’re ceding British land to a China-Russia ally and paying to rent it back. I still genuinely can't comprehend how anyone thought this was a good idea

[Japan Ministry of Defense/Self-Defense Forces @ModJapan_en]

HMS Prince of Wales (@HMSPWLS ), the Royal Navy #CSG25 flagship, has successfully concluded Japan visit. ⚓ 
JMOD and JSDF will work together with our ally and like-minded partners including UK to contribute to regional peace and stability 🙌
#OpHighmast @JAPANinUK 🇯🇵🇬🇧

[UHI Institute for Northern Studies @INS_UHI]

Quick reminder...Call for Papers @ThinkUHI 7th International St Magnus Conference. 15th-17th April 2026. Theme: Borne on a Carrying Stream: How Water has Shaped Heritage, Identity and Power. Deadline for submission: 31st August 2025.
https://t.co/r11O1stwna

[Masterpieces of Japan @JapanTraCul]

Murasaki Shikibu composing the Tale of Genji at Ishiyamadera, by Gakutei Harunobu, 19th century

[The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation @thecfhk]

🚨Completely agree with @aliciakearns - @DanJarvisMBE if this letter is accurate what are you thinking?

Repression in #HongKong has only worsened since extradition was suspended in 2020. 🇬🇧 citizen #JimmyLai remains wrongfully detained.

Surely this is a horrifying mistake?

[Johnny Patterson @JDP_Patterson]

I wonder if @DanJarvisMBE is aware that the protests in Hong Kong in 2019 that drew MILLIONS of people to the streets were about extradition...?!

Bizarre move, likely to bring 10s of thousands of BNOs onto the streets.

[Alicia Kearns MP @aliciakearns]

Government plans to reintroduce extradition cooperation with Hong Kong are highly concerning.

Why does the Government deem this reasonable when freedom of expression, political freedom and the rule of law in Hong Kong have been crushed by The National Security Law and the extradition of Hong Kongers to mainland China made possible?

I urge the Government to give urgent reassurances on how this system will be safely managed and what protections will be put in place to ensure no Hong Konger, CCP critic or anyone targeted by the CCP will be extradited under the new arrangement.

[The Japan Times @japantimes]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Yuriy Lutovinov, former minister-counselor at the Ukrainian Embassy in Japan, as ambassador to Japan. https://t.co/RBf2xJDQWE

[Ian Ellis @ianellisjones]

U.S.-China Strategic Competition Escalates; Tension Grows in Taiwan

[Ian Ellis @ianellisjones]

International community facing its greatest trial since World War II and entering a new era of crisis: Japan Ministry of Defense

• "The existing order of world peace is being seriously challenged, and Japan finds itself in the most severe and complex security environment of the post-war era."

• "The global balance of power is shifting dramatically and competition among states continues. In particular, the interstate competition between the United States and China is likely to intensify even further in the future."

• "The overall military balance between China and Taiwan is rapidly tilting in China's favor."

• "China has been swiftly increasing its national defense expenditures, thereby extensively and rapidly enhancing its military capability in a qualitative and quantitative manner and intensifying its activities in the East China Sea, including around the Senkaku Islands, and the Pacific."

• "China firmly maintains the principle that Taiwan is part of China and that the Taiwan issue is its internal affair. China has repeatedly stated that it has not renounced the use of force. China has further intensified its military activities around Taiwan."

• "There is growing concern over China's pursuit of unification through gray-zone military activities. In the event of a blockade of Taiwan, there is a possibility that China will deploy its coast guard at the forefront to carry
out the blockade within the gray zone."

• "China has intensified its military activities around Taiwan. China conducted military exercises in the sea and airspace several times. It is believed that through the series of activities, China seeks to create a fait accompli where the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is operating, and improve its actual combat capabilities."

• "China has intensified its activities in the South China Sea based on assertions, which are conflicting with existing orders of the seas, and promoting the establishment of military bases. Such actions to further promote unilateral change of the status quo by force and turning it into a fait accompli are serious concerns to Japan."

• "Gray zone situations involving territorial disputes are constantly occurring. The use of hybrid warfare, which combines military and non-military means, may become even more sophisticated."

• "China's external posture, military activities, and other activities are a matter of serious concern for Japan and the international community and present an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge which Japan should respond with its comprehensive national power and in cooperation and collaboration with its ally, like-minded countries."

Source: Defense of Japan 2025 (Annual White Paper)

[Capt.Dr.S.G Naravane @sgnaravane]

https://t.co/kbs8SPrNRk
Taiwan live-streams Han Kuang navy mine deployment as troops test metro tactics
Navy exercise aimed at deterring potential amphibious PLA operations is broadcast to showcase island’s defensive readiness
Lawrence Chung
14 Jul 2025

[Sam @Discoplomacy]

Government ran joint industry-government exercises on subsea cables last year, including in a scenario simulating multiple simultaneous cable breaks.

Another one planned for this year too,

[Stuart Lyle 🇬🇧 @Stu_Lyle]

Metros for subterranean relocation of defensive assets.
Great stuff.

[A C @A__Calvo]

US policy is a bit more nuanced than that.

[Sari Arho Havrén @SariArhoHavren]

The Pentagon, namely Elbridge Colby, is pressing Japan and Australia to make clear what role they would play if the US and China went to war over Taiwan, in an effort that has frustrated the two most important American allies in the Indo-Pacific.

But this request caught Tokyo and Canberra by surprise because the US itself does not give a blank cheque guarantee to Taiwan.”
The US has long had a policy of “strategic ambiguity” under which it does not say if it would defend the island.

“President Trump has not committed to defend Taiwan, so it is unrealistic for the US to insist on clear commitments from others.”

1/2

[A C @A__Calvo]

To note.

[Sharon/Trilingual 🇹🇼 🇯🇵 🇺🇲 @nthusharon]

Japan is reporting on Taiwan's self developed "independent drones" as a cornerstone of our national security, the parts & technology are sourced exclusively from Taiwanese companies, removing all risk exposure to Chinese firms

[Sharon/Trilingual 🇹🇼 🇯🇵 🇺🇲 @nthusharon]

Tomorrow (7/8) marks the 3rd anniversary of PM Abe's passing. Taiwanese should always remember this great leader. He was a rare Japanese PM who strongly supported Taiwan, aiding with vaccines, earthquake relief, market access for Taiwanese pineapples, …

[A C @A__Calvo]

Certainly a key legal aspect of such cases, deserving some thought.

[Denise Wu @denisewu]

Two Chinese nationals are accused of acting as agents for China to spy on the US Navy.

Again, DOJ is avoiding charging the family even when they have evidence, “Chen instructed his wife to drop a backpack full of $10,000 in a locker at a “recreational facility” in California”.

[Naval News @navalnewscom]

Japan is in talks with the Philippines over a potential transfer of used navy destroyers and maritime surveillance aircraft 🇯🇵 🇵🇭
@FMangosingINQ first story with us!
Includes quotes from chief of the @Philippine_Navy 👇
https://t.co/B3B6IhCVC8

[Taiwan Security Monitor (台灣安全觀測站) @TaiwanMonitor]

Han Kuang, the annual major military exercise of the Republic of China Armed Forces, is set to begin next week. With approximately 22,000 reservists to be mobilized, the most in the drill's history, check out TSM’s visualization highlighting Taiwan’s Reserve Command districts and bases:

[UK Carrier Strike Group @COMUKCSG]

It was an honour to host VCDS General Dame Sharon Nesmith on @HMSPWLS as part of UK #CSG25, and welcome Brigadier General Chan Ching Hao of the Singapore Armed Forces.

Strengthening defence ties and advancing regional security cooperation while alongside in Singapore. 🇬🇧🇸🇬🤝