Source: South China Morning Post [Hong Kong]
“Japan plans to deploy long-range missiles in its southwestern island of Kyushu near the East China Sea, amid growing fears of conflict in the Taiwan Strait, according to a Japanese media report. Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Sunday that the missile deployment under consideration would strengthen ‘counterstrike capabilities’ in the event of an emergency. The deployment was likely to begin at the end of March next year, the report said, citing Japanese government sources. It said the move aimed to boost the security of the Nansei islands – an island chain in southwestern Japan also known as the Ryukyus that has gained strategic importance due to its proximity to Taiwan, around 110km (70 miles) apart at its closest point. ” (03/18/25)