Japan Expands Military Presence Close to Taiwan Amid East China Sea Concerns
Japan has announced a major enhancement of its national defence strategy, revealing plans to install a new surface-to-air missile defence system on Yonaguni Island — a remote territory just 110 km from Taiwan’s coast — by March 2031. The move underscores Tokyo’s effort to strengthen security in the face of increasing military pressure from China and to safeguard key approaches in the East China Sea.
The Japanese Ministry of Defence said the defence infrastructure project will deploy medium-range missiles capable of intercepting hostile aircraft and incoming threats from multiple directions. Designed with 360° coverage, the system will be able to track and engage up to 100 targets simultaneously, reflecting Tokyo’s focus on boosting deterrence in one of the region’s most geopolitically sensitive corridors.
Yonaguni Island, part of Okinawa Prefecture, lies at Japan’s southwestern extremity. Its proximity to Taiwan — where skies are frequently patrolled by Chinese and Taiwanese military aircraft — makes it strategically valuable. Japan currently maintains a defensive force of around 160 personnel on the island, including radar and monitoring units.
Officials emphasised that the missile deployment remains contingent on budget clearances and infrastructure development, which is expected to be integrated into Tokyo’s defence planning over the next several fiscal years. Analysts say the deployment is not just a technical upgrade but also a signal of Japan’s willingness to reinforce deterrence as regional rivalry with China continues to intensify.
China and Japan have a long history of maritime disputes, particularly around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, and Beijing has not yet publicly responded to the latest Japanese plan. Nonetheless, Tokyo’s announcement adds a new layer to the shifting military landscape in East Asia.
