Japan plans to deploy missiles on remote island near Taiwan by 2031
Feb 26, 2026
Tokyo [Japan], February 26: Japan plans to deploy surface-to-air missiles to its remote western island near Taiwan by March 2031, its defence minister said, as regional tensions simmer.
It is the first time that Japan specified a timeline for the missile deployment to Yonaguni island since it was announced in 2022.
China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out the use of force to "reunify" with it. Yonaguni is visible from Taiwan's shores on a clear day, located just 110km (68 miles) away.
Tensions between Tokyo and Beijing have run high since November when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi appeared to suggest that Japan would activate its self-defence force in the event of an attack on Taiwan. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune
