Japan has revealed plans to station surface-to-air missiles on Yonaguni Island, the country’s westernmost territory located roughly 110 kilometres from Taiwan, by March 2031, marking a significant escalation in Tokyo’s defence posture in East Asia, officials said. The announcement, made by Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, outlines a timeline for deploying advanced missile systems designed to intercept aircraft and ballistic threats and represents the first time the government has set a firm deadline for the project.
Yonaguni Island, a small community in Okinawa Prefecture, has in recent years become central to Japan’s strategy of strengthening its southwestern island chain against perceived increases in Chinese military activity in the region. The island already hosts a Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) presence, including radar installations that have been in place since 2016, and is set to play an expanded role in national defence. The missile deployment, part of a broader effort to fortify remote outposts, comes as Tokyo shifts its focus from traditional northern threats to those emanating across the East China Sea.
Speaking at a press briefing, Koizumi said the deployment schedule could evolve depending on progress in building necessary infrastructure, but reaffirmed that the government aims to complete the preparations in the fiscal 2030 year, which runs through March 2031. Residents of the island are scheduled to be briefed on the plans in early March, according to defence officials.
The planned deployment follows a diplomatic row between Japan and China, which has sharply criticised Tokyo’s moves and deepened unease in bilateral relations. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments late last year — suggesting that Japan might commit its defence forces if China were to attack Taiwan — triggered a strong reaction from Beijing, which imposed export restrictions on Japanese companies and issued travel warnings discouraging Chinese tourists from visiting Japan.
China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve “reunification”. It has repeatedly objected to any international involvement in what it considers its internal affairs, and the missile plan has drawn sharp condemnation from Chinese officials, who accuse Japan of stoking regional tensions and provoking confrontation. Beijing has labelled the deployment a dangerous move that could destabilise the region and undermine peace.
Despite the backlash, Tokyo insists its actions are defensive. Koizumi and other officials have stressed that enhancing air defence capabilities on Yonaguni is necessary to protect Japan’s territory and secure its national interests in the face of an increasingly complex security environment. The planned missile systems, believed to be medium-range weapons capable of tracking numerous targets simultaneously, would bolster the island’s capacity to deter or respond to aerial incursions.
Yonaguni’s residents have expressed mixed feelings about the development. While some support strengthened defence measures given the island’s proximity to potential flashpoints, others worry that militarisation will make their community a target in any future conflict. Known for its wildlife and small population, Yonaguni’s transformation from a quiet outpost into a strategic military node underscores the broader geopolitical tensions shaping the Indo-Pacific.
