Japan is building missile bases on islands off the coast of China in a bid to counter the rising threat from its communist neighbour.
The country’s military – which has long been restricted by its post-Second World War pacifist constitution – has been constructing anti-aircraft and anti-ship weapons on Ishigaki, 200 miles from eastern China and just off the coast of Taiwan.
It is one of many islands in the Yaeyama archipelago to be garrisoned by the Japanese, with soldiers bringing new weapons and radar technology to the area.
The country’s military – which has long been restricted by its post-Second World War pacifist constitution – has been constructing anti-aircraft and anti-ship weapons Ishigaki (pictured), 200 miles from eastern China and just off the coast of Taiwan
China, whose international standing has grown immensely in recent years, has sent out a series of coastguard ships to sail around the contested islands near Japan and China. Pictured: A Japanese plane on patrol around the Senkaku islands
China, whose international standing has grown immensely in recent years, has sent out a series of coastguard ships to sail around the contested islands as its military grows. Pictured: Troops from the People’s Liberation Army on parade
It comes after the country announced its intention to buy offensive air-to-surface missiles to counter North Korea’s rising military threat. Pictured: North Korean missiles launched earlier this year
The Japanese army – or Ground Self-Defense Force – told the Wall Street Journal it plans to deploy between 500 and 600 soldiers to Ishigaki to operate a missile system there.
It comes after the country announced its intention to buy offensive air-to-surface missiles to counter North Korea’s rising military threat.
Defence secretary Itsunori Onodera said the ministry intends to request a special budget for the fiscal year starting April 2018 to purchase long-range cruise missiles to be deployed on fighter jets.
The ministry reportedly plans to buy 560mile-range air-to-ground missiles from US firms, as well as Joint Strike Missiles with a range of some 310miles from Norway.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet, meanwhile, is set to approve a 2.5 per cent boost to military spending – which will include more cash for bases on its southern islands.
Japan has been pushed by the US – which has taken upon itself defence responsibilities for the country since the Second World War – to improve its own military and rely less on American strength.
Prime Minister Abe, too, has stressed the need for Japan to be independent of the US – explaining that the country’s pacifist constitution should be changed.
But the islands around Ishigaki are known by the Chinese as the ‘first island chain’ around the country’s east.
The nearby Senkaku islands are claimed by Taiwan as well as China. Pictured: A Japanese coastguard vessel sprays a Taiwanese ship during a dispute near the islands
Meanwhile the mayor of Ishigaki, Yoshitaka Nakayama, said: ‘Until China becomes a country with a normal political system, we need to protect ourselves.’ Pictured: Ishigaki’s beautiful beaches
They claim – along with Taiwain – the nearby Senkaku islands, which are administered by Japan.
China, whose international standing has grown immensely in recent years, has sent out a series of coastguard ships to sail around the contested islands.
They frequently encounter Japanese ships attempting to protect their sovereignty.
Rear Admiral Atsushi Tohyama, commander of a base on Ishigaki, told the Journal: ‘The Chinese ships are getting bigger and more modern. In that sense, they are escalating the situation.’
But China said it hoped ‘Japan will adhere to the path of peaceful development’, adding that its military policies were of high concern to Asian powers ‘due to historical reasons’.
Meanwhile the mayor of Ishigaki, Yoshitaka Nakayama, said: ‘Until China becomes a country with a normal political system, we need to protect ourselves.’