Pacific Winds 20260209

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Japan’s ruling LDP wins 2/3 lower house majority in boost for PM Takaichi
Kyodo 20260209
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/70080

Japan’s Leader Wins in a Landslide, Clearing Way for Hard-Line Agenda
NYTimes 20260208
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/world/asia/japan-takaichi-election-landslide.html

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Congressional commission warns China’s Pacific infrastructure projects could pose a military threat
FOX 20260208
https://www.foxnews.com/world/congressional-commission-warns-chinas-pacific-infrastructure-projects-could-pose-military-threat

Major think tank report: Keep 5,000 Marines in Okinawa, not Guam
PDN 202600209
https://www.guampdn.com/news/major-think-tank-report-keep-5-000-marines-in-okinawa-not-guam/article_eecf1d0a-ca99-484c-9b77-e219bb56add0.html

Island Waves

Santa Cruz Airfield Upgrade Done, Terminal Construction Underway
Solomon Star 20260208
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/santa-cruz-airfield-upgrade-done-terminal-construction-underway/

Japan funds new water supply system for Bobolo community
Solomon Star 20260208
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/japan-funds-new-water-supply-system-for-bobolo-community/

Japan supports Buruku Adventist Primary
Solomon Star 20260208
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/japan-supports-buruku-adventist-primary/

Tourism Fiji China secures major group bookings
FBCN 20260208
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/tourism-fiji-china-secures-major-group-bookings/

Taiwan + SCS

US arms pipeline to Taiwan rebounds as supply chains recover
Taiwan News 20260208
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6298494

KMT chairwoman shrugs off concerns about US
Taipei Times 20260209
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/02/09/2003852024

KMT rhetoric shifting to pro-China, silence on US under Cheng: academic
Taipei Times 20260209
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/02/09/2003852025

Open criticism in Taiwan regarding new planned US arms sales; expert warns approval will severely crowd out budget resources for public welfare and social benefits
GT 20260208
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355026.shtml

Taiwan tracks 1 Chinese balloon and 7 naval vessels
Taiwan News 20260208
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6298513

AFP stands firm in conducting patrols in WPS amid China criticism
GMA 20260208
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/975793/afp-stands-firm-in-conducting-patrols-in-wps-amid-china-criticism/story/

First China-Philippines talks in over a year: is a South China Sea thaw in the offing?
SCMP 20260208
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3342485/first-china-philippines-talks-over-year-south-china-sea-thaw-offing

DFA chief’s South China Sea approach risks normalizing Beijing’s coercion
Inquirer (PH) 20260208
https://www.inquirer.net/467038/dfa-chiefs-south-china-sea-approach-risks-normalizing-beijings-coercion/

Capabilities

The U.S. Navy’s New Insurance Policy for War With China Is an Australian Base
WSJ 20260207
https://www.wsj.com/world/the-u-s-navys-new-insurance-policy-for-war-with-china-is-an-australian-base-764af616

Lighter, simpler, faster: could this thrust device give Chinese drones an edge over F-35s?
SCMP 20260208
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3342814/lighter-simpler-faster-could-thrust-device-give-chinese-drones-edge-over-f-35s

Exercises

PH, US hold air exercises in Luzon sites
Inquirer (PH) 20260208
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/308235/ph-us-hold-air-exercises-in-luzon-sites