Japan¡¯s defense minister, visiting a military base close to Taiwan, said plans to deploy missiles to the post were on track as tensions smolder between Tokyo and Beijing over the East Asian island.
¡°The deployment can help lower the chance of an armed attack on our country,¡± Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters on Sunday as he wrapped up his first trip to the base on the southern Japanese island of Yonaguni. ¡°The view that it will heighten regional tensions is not accurate.¡±
Japan is planning to station medium-range surface-to-air missiles on Yonaguni, about 110 kilometers east of Taiwan, as part of a broader military build-up on its southern island chain. The moves reflect Tokyo¡¯s concerns about China¡¯s growing military power and the potential for a clash over Taiwan.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.