Japan to deploy long-range missiles near East China Sea as fears over Taiwan grow: Kyodo

Japan plans to deploy long-range missiles in its southwestern island of Kyushu near the East China Sea, amid growing fears of conflict in the Taiwan Strait, according to a Japanese media report.

Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Sunday that the missile deployment under consideration would strengthen “counterstrike capabilities” in the event of an emergency.

The deployment was likely to begin at the end of March next year, the report said, citing Japanese government sources.

It said the move aimed to boost the security of the Nansei islands – an island chain in southwestern Japan also known as the Ryukyus that has gained strategic importance due to its proximity to Taiwan, around 110km (70 miles) apart at its closest point. The report also cited “growing fears” of a cross-strait attack by mainland China.

Assessment of possible deployment sites in Kyushu was under way, with the Japanese ground defence force’s surface-to-ship missile regiment garrisons in Yufu in Oita prefecture and the city of Kumamoto being the two likely locations, Kyodo News said, citing sources.

However, Okinawa prefecture was unlikely to host the missile over concerns that it could heighten tensions with Beijing, the sources told the news agency. Okinawa prefecture, which is part of the Nansei chain, is home to several US military bases and lies closer to mainland China and Taiwan than Kyushu.

  

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