Japan to promote ‘Nansei shift’ after Okinawa election

The government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to ramp up the country’s defense capabilities in its southwestern region following the election of a conservative governor in Okinawa Prefecture for the first time in 12 years. The “Nansei shift” is aimed at countering increased Chinese military activities, but some local residents are concerned that the region may become a target of attack. ”Nansei“ means “southwest“ in Japanese.