US and Japan Deploy Anti-Ship Missiles to Yonaguni Island
The United States and Japan are scheduled to launch a large-scale joint military exercise on October 19 featuring the inaugural deployment of the American NMESIS ground-based anti-ship missile system to Japan’s westernmost island of Yonaguni. NHK reported the upcoming deployment on October 2, citing sources familiar with the planning. Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force also plans to deploy its own ground-based anti-ship systems to the island, situated roughly 110 kilometers from Taiwan.
The joint drills and weapon placements are seen as strengthening deterrence, according to NHK.
Japan and US deploy anti-ship missiles to Yonaguni Island
The Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, known as NMESIS, mounts anti-ship missiles with a range exceeding 180 kilometers onto remotely operated unmanned ground vehicles. Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force will simultaneously introduce domestic anti-ship missile units capable of striking targets at distances greater than 100 kilometers. Both systems mark the first time these systems have been deployed to Yonaguni Island.
Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that the forward positioning provides a strategic platform capable of threatening Chinese People’s Liberation Army naval vessels operating around Taiwan during a conflict. Song noted that the island’s limited size and lack of strategic depth could simultaneously make the deployed missile systems vulnerable to detection and precision strikes by the PLA’s comprehensive reconnaissance and surveillance network.
China warns against Japanese military steps and external cooperation
Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Jiang Bin responded to the joint military maneuvers by stating that bilateral defense cooperation between external nations should not target third parties or undermine regional stability. Jiang criticized the security steps taken by Japanese forces, warning that neo-militarism is increasingly becoming a potential source of turmoil across East Asia.
Song Zhongping attributed the ongoing strain in bilateral ties between Beijing and Tokyo to United States tolerance of Japanese defense policies, alongside the Takaichi administration’s frequent focus on the Taiwan question. Song suggested that deploying frontline missile batteries raises the risk of operational miscalculation and forces Beijing to adjust its military contingency planning accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Yonaguni Missile Deployment
What specific missile systems are the US and Japan deploying to Yonaguni?
The US military is deploying the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), which utilizes unmanned vehicles to carry anti-ship missiles with a range exceeding 180 kilometers. Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force is contributing its own ground-based anti-ship missile systems with a range of over 100 kilometers.
How far is Yonaguni Island from Taiwan?
Yonaguni Island is located approximately 110 kilometers from Taiwan, making it Japan’s westernmost territory.
When do the joint military exercises begin?
The large-scale field exercises involving Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the US military are scheduled to begin on October 19, according to reports citing defense sources.
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