In a first, Japan deploys anti-ship missile systems near China's coast

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
30 Mar 2024 14:34
11 Shares

The Japanese Armed Forces have landed a regiment of 200 troops in Okinawa, armed with anti-ship capabilities, to monitor the movement of Chinese vessels.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, center right, walks past a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Type-19 155-mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer, rear left, and a Type-12 surface-to-ship missile, rear right, as he inspects weapons during a review at the JGSDF Camp Asaka in Tokyo, Japan, on November 27, 2021. (AP)

Japan's Ground Self-Defense Forces deployed its first surface-to-ship missile unit on the island of Okinawa, Japanese media reported.

The deployed regiment is responsible for anti-missile systems and will encompass around 200 troops, including officers, Kyodo reported.

Reportedly, the unit will be assigned to monitor Chinese warships sailing between Okinawa and Miyako islands, located in the southeasternmost part of the island country. Miyako is around 500 km to the east of mainland China and around 300 km away from the island of Taiwan.

Militarization in the Asia-Pacific region has seen significant escalation this past year, spurred by the United States and its allies' increased force presence and military drills in Australia, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Japan.

Earlier in July 2023, the Japanese military test-fired its Type-12 anti-ship, a developed version of its indigenous Type-88 surface-launched anti-ship cruise missile. Japan's military did so for the first time in Australia as part of the US-led Talisman Sabre military exercise.

Japan and US to increase military cooperation

On Monday, Japan's government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that Japan and the US are seeking ways to boost military cooperation, following reports that strengthening US operations in the Asian country is meant to counter China.

Citing diplomatic sources, Japanese media and the Financial Times said that a review of the joint security pact will be announced at a US-Japan summit due next month in Washington.

"Japan and the United States have been discussing ways to strengthen cooperation in command and control in order to enhance interoperability and readiness," Hayashi told reporters, adding, "My understanding is that nothing has been decided regarding the American side's structure, including strengthening the functions of US Forces Japan."

54,000 US military personnel are based in Japan, which is already increasing defense to the NATO standard of 2% of GDP by 2027 and claims that China poses the "greatest strategic challenge" to its security.

The overstretched military of the United States has seen increased activity in Europe, occupied Palestine, West Asia, and East Asia, as actors around the world push to weaken and dissolute US hegemony over the world.