Japan will deploy surface-to-air missiles to Yonaguni, its westernmost island, by March 2031, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has announced. The missiles, capable of shooting down aircraft and ballistic missiles, are part of Tokyo's efforts to bolster defences on remote western islands amid rising tensions with China over Taiwan.
Koizumi, speaking to reporters, provided the schedule for the first time, stating that the deployment is planned for fiscal 2030. The announcement comes as a diplomatic standoff between Tokyo and Beijing escalates over remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who suggested Japan's self-defence forces could become involved in a conflict over Taiwan if it posed an existential threat to Japan.
China has reacted by urging its citizens not to travel to Japan and imposing restrictions on exports to Japanese companies, accusing Tokyo of remilitarisation. Beijing maintains its claim over Taiwan, a self-governing democracy it regards as a province, and has not ruled out using force to annex it.
Yonaguni, located 100km from Taiwan, already hosts a self-defence force facility, and residents fear being caught in a military confrontation. Koizumi said the ministry will brief the island's 1,500 residents next week. In 2015, residents voted in favour of hosting the base by 632 to 445, but many locals are concerned about the island's militarisation.
The defence ministry announced plans to reinforce western islands in 2022, shifting focus from threats from Russia to countering Chinese military activity in the East China Sea. Japan also faces repeated intrusions by Chinese vessels into waters around the Senkaku islands, which are administered by Japan but claimed by China.
