TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel made a visit to Japan’s westernmost island of Yonaguni, just 110 kilometers from the northeast coast of Taiwan, on Friday (May 17). 

In a visit that underscores Washington’s increased attention to Taiwan’s security, Emanuel is the first U.S. ambassador to visit the small island of Yonaguni, which is part of Okinawa Prefecture. "I might be the first U.S. ambassador to visit Yonaguni, but I predict I won't be the last, Emanuel was quoted as saying by Nikkei.  

Emanuel arrived in the Yaeyama Islands aboard a U.S. C-G02 Gulfstream military aircraft, which was given clearance by Japan’s central government to land at the Ishigaki Airport and the airbase on Yonaguni Island. The Okinawa government reportedly objected to the ambassador’s visit, reported Stars and Stripes. 

In the event of a blockade or invasion of Taiwan by China, military planners recognize the Yaeyama Islands as a crucial access point to provide material aid or military support to Taiwan, as well as a key staging ground for the evacuation of Japanese citizens if airspace around Taipei becomes unsafe. 

While the U.S. military and the Japan government have been busy bolstering troop presence and infrastructure in the area, Rahm Emanuel’s visit indicates heightened interest by the U.S. State Department in contingency plans related to the defense of Taiwan.  

During his visit on Friday, Emanuel met with Yonaguni Mayor Kenichi Itokazu. The mayor reportedly discussed economic opportunities for the island linked to defense spending. 

Emanuel also met with members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces stationed on Yonaguni. He shared a post on Twitter of the lunch meeting with the caption “Keeping the Japan-US Alliance strong.”