(Yonaguni Island, part of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan (photo by Philip FONG / AFP))
Japan's Defense Minister announced plans to install a ground-to-air missile system on an island near Taiwan by 2031 amid tensions with the Chinese government.
On Tuesday, 24 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Japan's Defense Minister issued a statement saying the government plans to deploy ground-to-air missiles on Yonaguni Island, a remote western island near Taiwan, by March 2031 GMT+7.
This marks the first time Japan has specified a timeline for deploying forces on the island. The Defense Ministry had announced a similar plan in 2022, stating it was intended to strengthen air defense capabilities on Yonaguni, which already hosts a Japanese military base.
Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said at a press conference in Tokyo that the missile system deployment on Yonaguni will occur within fiscal year 2030, which ends in March of the following calendar year.
The statement comes amid a months-long dispute between Japan and China. On Tuesday, Beijing announced export restrictions targeting dozens of Japanese companies, citing their involvement in enhancing Japan's military capabilities.
Yonaguni Island is located about 110 kilometers east of Taiwan and approximately 1,900 kilometers southwest of Tokyo.
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Source:cna