Japan plans missile deployment near Taiwan by 2031 amid growing regional tensions

Japan is set to deploy surface-to-air missiles to its remote western Yonaguni island near Taiwan by March 2031 in the midst of growing regional tensions, as confirmed by the defence minister.

This is the very first time Japan has come up with a definite timeline related to its missile deployment plan since it was previously announced in 2022, as reported by BBC. 

Yonaguni island is located just 110km away from the shores of Taiwan.

According to Shinjiro Koizumi, “It depends on the progress of preparing facilities, but we are planning for fiscal 2030.”

Since November, Japan and China have been locked in diplomatic conflict when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that Tokyo would not refrain from deploying missiles and activating its self-defence force if China attacked Taiwan.

China considers Taiwan part of its mainland territory and at several occasions showed determination to take the island even by force.

After Takaichi’s remarks, Japan’s ties with China have plunged to its lowest level followed by banning rare earth exports, sending warships to each other's shores, imposing restrictions on seafood, and curbing tourism.

According to Koizumi, the remote island will be equipped with medium-range surface-to-air missiles, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles and aircrafts due to 360-degree capability.

The missiles can track up to 100 targets simultaneously and engage up to 12 at a time.

Over the past years, Japan has turned remote Yonaguni into a military outpost, hosting 160 Japan's self-defence force members and handling coastal surveillance.