Japan will deploy surface-to-air missiles to its remote western island of Yonaguni, located just 110 kilometers from Taiwan, by March 2031. This marks the first specific timeline provided by Tokyo for the missile deployment, which was initially announced in 2022.
The move comes as regional tensions, particularly concerning China's claims over Taiwan, continue to escalate. Japanese defense minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated the Yonaguni unit will be equipped with medium-range surface-to-air missiles capable of intercepting aircraft and missiles. An electronic warfare unit is also slated for establishment by fiscal year 2026.
Over the past decade, Yonaguni has been transformed into a military outpost, currently handling coastal surveillance with approximately 160 members of Japan's self-defense force. This strategic deployment underscores Japan's evolving defense capabilities and its readiness to protect its front lines in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.