Japan has deployed missiles on Yonagunijima Island to reduce the risk of armed attacks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said during his visit to a military base on Yonagunijima Island in southern Japan on Sunday (November 23) that Japan is advancing its plan to deploy missiles to this base.

This is Koizumi's first visit to this base. He said, "This deployment helps reduce the possibility of our country being attacked by armed forces." The view that this will intensify regional tensions is not accurate.

Yonagunijima is about 110 kilometers east of Taiwan. Japan plans to deploy medium-range surface-to-air missiles there as part of its plan to strengthen military deployment in the southern island chain. Bloomberg pointed out that this move reflects Tokyo's concerns over China's growing military strength and the possible conflict in the Taiwan Strait. Recently, Sino-Japanese relations have deteriorated due to the remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Saane Takaishi that "there's something going on in Taiwan", further intensifying these concerns.

​ These remarks aroused strong dissatisfaction and economic retaliation from Beijing, which demanded that Gao Shi withdraw the relevant remarks.​

Before heading to Yonagunijima, Koizumi also visited military bases on Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island. The Ishigaki Island base is equipped with anti-ship missiles, while Miyako Island serves as a hub for air surveillance and ammunition storage. Japan and the United States also have important military bases on the further east island of Okinawa.

At present, Yonagunijima has been equipped with a radar monitoring facility to scan the nearby sea and airspace. In addition, the electronic warfare force established in 2024 is also stationed here. This force can be used to disrupt the enemy's communication and guidance systems.

In recent weeks, the US military has conducted exercises transporting supplies from Okinawa to Yonagunijima to simulate the establishment of a forward combat base in the event of any regional crisis.

When meeting with the mayor of Yonagunijima, Toshio Ueda, Koizumi emphasized that Japan must enhance its deterrence by improving its own capabilities and deepening its military ties with the United States. He said, "Nowadays, Japan is facing the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II." To safeguard the peaceful life of the Japanese people, including the residents of Yonagunijima, we must enhance the capabilities of the Self-Defense Forces.