The governor of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture has warned the central government to “proceed carefully” as defense authorities move forward with plans to station surface-to-air missiles on an island just 70 miles from China-claimed Taiwan.
Why It Matters
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed last week that the Type 03 Chu-SAM system would be stationed on the island of Yonaguni, saying this could reduce the chance of an attack on the country. China’s Foreign Ministry called the planned deployment “extremely dangerous.”
The announcement came amid a diplomatic row with China following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s statement that a Chinese blockade of Taiwan would constitute a “survival-threatening situation” under Japan’s pacifist constitution and therefore allow for a military intervention alongside the U.S.
Okinawa hosts a wide array of potential targets, including 70 percent of U.S. Forces Japan’s facilities. Local officials have raised concerns that further militarization would increase risks for Okinawans in the event of conflict with China.
Newsweek has reached out to the Japanese Defense Ministry by email with a request for comment.
What To Know
“One must carefully consider what message is being sent. This applies to both the prime minister’s and Minister Koizumi’s remarks,” Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki, said following a Sunday meeting with Takaichi’s chief Cabinet secretary, per a Tuesday report by the Yaeyama Nippo.
“Those statements seem to reflect a rush to push forward policy. I’m not convinced they fully understand the situation on the ground,” he added.
Responding to Koizumi’s statement last week that fears about the deployment fueling tensions are “unfounded,” Tamaki stressed it’s important to “first clearly communicate that we prioritize building a peaceful environment through dialogue.” He urged the Takaichi administration to “proceed carefully and with deliberation.”
Mounted on 8×8 trucks, the Type 03 missile system uses phased-array radar to track up to 100 aircraft, ballistic missiles, or drones at once. Each unit can engage up to a dozen targets at ranges of up to 30 miles—well short of the Taiwanese coastline, let alone the Chinese mainland.
What People Are Saying
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters Tuesday: “The Japanese side should honor its political commitments to China, retract the erroneous remarks and take practical steps to do soul-searching and correct its wrongdoings. Any external force who dares to meddle in the affairs on the Taiwan Strait will face a resolute, head-on blow from China.”
What Happens Next
It’s unclear when the Type 03 missiles will be transported to Yonaguni.
China claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan, and President Xi Jinping has declared that unification is inevitable
Chinese forces have in recent years stepped up military pressure on the island, including through large-scale exercises simulating a blockade. U.S. defense and intelligence officials have warned Beijing could move against the island before the end of the decade.
