Reflection on Participation in JFSS’s 4th Taiwan Strait Crisis Simulation

Head of Office, European Values Center for Security Policy (EVCSP) Taiwan Office
Marcin Jerzewski

 Introduction

 The 4th Taiwan Strait Crisis Simulation,organized by the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies (JFSS), provided an invaluable platform for diverse participants to gain unique insights into potential Japanese responses to varying degrees of escalation in the Taiwan Strait. As an observer from an EU and NATO member state working in Taiwan,I found it particularly enlightening to understand the Japanese perspective on a potential contingency.This perspective is crucial due to the geographic proximity of Japan's Southwest Islands to Taiwan, the role of the Japan-US alliance in a potential contingency,and the historical, social, andcultural ties between Japan and Taiwan.The event was commendable for　including observers from the EU and　NATO member states, reflecting the growing institutional focus of the bloc on the Indo-Pacific region and NATOʼs expanding partnerships with Indo-Pacific countries.

 This diversity enriched the discussions and fostered mutual understanding.Having participated in similar simulations in other contexts, I was particularly engaged by the exploration of multi-level governance in managing crises, especially concerning Okinawa and the Sakishima Islands; vulnerabil-ities in energy security during Taiwan's ongoing energy transition; and the need for cooperation in addressing hybrid threats. These insights were both novel and thought-provoking. I elaborate on these observations further in the subsequent sections of the paper and express my sincere appreciation to JFSS for their exceptional organization of this event.