Japan to Deploy Missiles on Island Near Taiwan by 2031
Japan will station Type-03 medium-range surface-to-air missiles with a 50km range on Yonaguni Island to strengthen air defenses amid rising tensions with China.
- By March 2031, Japan will deploy surface-to-air missiles to Yonaguni Island, the government set a timeline since 2022; Yonaguni is about 110km from Taiwan and visible from its shore.
- Rising mistrust between China and Japan has strained ties despite their trade, as officials fear an assault on Taiwan could draw the United States and allies into conflict.
- The missile system will feature about 50km range and 360-degree coverage, tracking up to 100 targets and engaging 12, while the Yonaguni unit is manned by roughly 160 Self-Defense Forces personnel.
- The diplomatic tensions with China have risen after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told Japan's parliament on November 7 last year that force against Taiwan could warrant a Japanese military response, seen as interference by China.
- Providing a first concrete schedule now positions Yonaguni for implementation, with the March 2031 timetable set since the 2022 announcement, following leadership change last month.
53 Articles
53 Articles
Japan to Deploy Missiles Near Taiwan
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Japan to Place Surface-to-Air Missiles on Island Near Taiwan
Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date. The Japanese government is moving forward with deploying surface-to-air missiles on an island near Taiwan. Getting into it: The move was confirmed by Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan’s d…
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