Japan to deploy counter-strike missiles closer to China by end-March
The Straits Times
Japan will deploy counter-strike missiles near China by the end of March to bolster its military capacity amid increasing Chinese naval activity. Read more at straitstimes.com.
TOKYO – Japan will deploy a batch of long-range, counter-strike missiles in a south-west region near China by the end of March, officials said March 9.
The Ground Self-Defence Force plans to position its Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles, with a reported range of 1,000km, in Kumamoto, Kyushu region, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a regular briefing.
“I have been told that once the necessary preparation has been made, the Ministry of Defence will brief local residents” about the move, said the top government spokesman.
Japan is attempting to shore up its military capacity as China increases its naval activities in the East China Sea.
It wants to hold its “counter-strike” capacity and use the missiles to hit enemy bases if Japan comes under direct attack.
Japan’s ties with Beijing quickly soured after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hinted in November that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on self-ruled Taiwan.
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