According to the Japanese newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun, in 2022, to prevent China from crossing the first island chain, Japan will deploy a missile force on Ishigaki Island. The island is 300 kilometers (186 miles) away from the coast of Taiwan.
Yomiuri Shimbun quoted an official from Japan’s Ministry of Defense who mentioned that an army force of 500 to 600 is expected to be deployed on Ishigaki Island. One of the troops will be equipped with shore-to-ship missiles and surface-to-air missiles, and the other will be a security force that can respond to armed attacks and large-scale natural disasters. The missile range will cover northern Taiwan just to deter China.
In addition, Japan’s Ministry of Defense is also planning to install electronic warfare units on the U.S. Island before the end of 2023 and build a new Self-Defense Force base on Magog Island.
On August 3, Japan’s Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told the Financial Times that, as China continues to increase its security threat to Taiwan, the international community should pay more attention to Taiwan. Other experts also believe that China’s threat to Taiwan has caused a backlash in other Asian countries.
Source: Deutsche Welle, August 5, 2021
https://p.dw.com/p/3yYxN