Japan to send missile systems near Taiwan

Japan’s Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday that it will deploy missile defense units near Taiwan. Jiji news reported that the surface-to-air missile systems will be installed on Yonaguni Island near Taiwan, APA reports citing Teletrader.

The deployment is part of a plan to expand a ground self-defense force camp on the island, the ministry’s spokesperson Takeshi Aoki told reporters, that will in turn bolster Japan’s defense on the southwestern islands.

The news comes in light of Japan’s increased defense budget of 6.82 trillion yen ($51.7 billion), as well as the United States’ concern over China’s ‘provocative’ actions near Taiwan.