Japan is moving forward with plans to station medium-range missiles on its southern island of Yonaguni, located just 110 kilometers east of Taiwan, as part of a significant military reinforcement of its island chain. Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, during his first visit to the Yonaguni base on Sunday, stated that the deployment is proceeding as scheduled and is essential for national security.
Strengthening Defences in the Southwestern Islands
During his tour of key military installations, Minister Koizumi defended the missile plan, asserting that the deployment can help lower the chance of an armed attack on Japan. He directly countered critics who suggest the move heightens regional tensions, calling that view not accurate. His visit also included stops at bases on the islands of Ishigaki, which hosts anti-ship missiles, and Miyako, a central hub for air surveillance and ammunition storage.
The strategic importance of Yonaguni was starkly illustrated in 2022 when, following a visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chinese ballistic missiles landed in waters just south of the island. This event highlighted the direct risk the island faces in any potential conflict over Taiwan. Beyond its military role, Yonaguni is a popular tourist destination for scuba divers and is now home to a surveillance radar facility and a new electronic warfare unit established in 2024, designed to disrupt enemy communications.
Political Fallout and Regional Apprehensions
The military build-up occurs against a backdrop of heightened diplomatic friction. Recent comments by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on November 7, which raised the theoretical possibility of Japan's military cooperation with other nations if China attacks Taiwan, triggered economic retaliation and an angry response from Beijing. Although Takaichi has since reverted to the government's standard policy of not discussing specific military scenarios, Beijing continues to demand a formal retraction.
A Japanese official on Saturday rejected China's claims that Takaichi altered Japan's stance on Taiwan as entirely baseless. When questioned about the potential impact on Yonaguni should a Taiwan crisis erupt, Minister Koizumi declined to comment on hypothetical situations.
In a recent demonstration of preparedness, the US military conducted exercises to simulate establishing a forward-operating base, moving supplies from Okinawa to Yonaguni. Koizumi emphasized the need to bolster Japan's deterrence through enhanced capabilities and deeper ties with the US military, stating that Japan faces the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II.
Local Concerns and Historical Narratives
The residents of the Ryukyu islands, which include Yonaguni and Okinawa, find themselves on the front lines. While few seek independence, there is a palpable wariness about being drawn into a regional conflict if military facilities on the islands become targets. Compounding these tensions, Chinese state media has recently published articles questioning Japan's sovereignty over the Ryukyu chain, recalling a time centuries ago when the Ryukyu kingdom was independent.
As Japan fortifies its southern defences, the delicate balance of power in East Asia continues to shift, with the remote island of Yonaguni playing an increasingly central role in a high-stakes geopolitical standoff.
