By Blessing Nweke
Japan will deploy medium-range surface-to-air missiles to its remote western island of Yonaguni Island by March 2031, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced, marking the first time Tokyo has set a clear timetable for the move first revealed in 2022.
The island lies just 110km from Taiwan, which China claims as its territory and has not ruled out using force to achieve reunification. Yonaguni is visible from Taiwan’s shores on clear days, underscoring its strategic importance.
Tensions between Tokyo and Beijing have escalated since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Japan could activate its self-defence forces if Taiwan were attacked. Analysts warn any conflict involving Taiwan — a close partner of the United States — could expand into a wider regional confrontation involving major allies.
Koizumi revealed the missile timeline a day after Beijing imposed export restrictions on 20 Japanese companies, citing national security concerns. He said the Yonaguni unit will be equipped with systems capable of intercepting aircraft and incoming missiles.
China has not formally responded to the latest announcement. However, after Koizumi visited Yonaguni in November, Beijing accused Japan of provoking military confrontation. Within days, Chinese drones flew near the island, prompting Japan to scramble fighter jets.
The decision follows Takaichi’s recent landslide parliamentary victory, giving her government greater political space to strengthen defence capabilities. Over the past decade, Yonaguni has evolved into a military outpost with about 160 Self-Defense Force personnel.
An electronic warfare unit is scheduled for fiscal year 2026, while officials say the missile deployment timeline could still shift depending on infrastructure progress.
Original article
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