[Captain Rhino]

Yes, I was aware that the Kitty Hawk CSG is homeported in Japan. But, IIRC, it serves in rotation with other CSGs supporting the Indian Ocean presence mission. My assumption was that the responding CSG(s) would have to respond from either the IO or West Coast, a fairly long transit even at the reputed high speeds that these ships can make. If the Kitty Hawk CSG was much nearer, the PLAN would be even more conscious of the very limited time they would have to win the naval portion of a campaign to take Taiwan.

This, of course, does raise the possible role of Japan in such a conflict.

[texas booster]

Ah, the Japanese SDF. Are they a real force, due to the threat of PRNK, or are they a safe spot to leapfrog up the military chain of command to a cushy job?

What other navies in the area would possibly fight against the PLAN, if they were not attacked personally?

Would the Royal Navy have assets that could be deployed?

And would Russia take advantage of a great situation to pile on the USA?