Japan deploys missiles to protect disputed islands

(Baonghean.vn) - The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper today (August 14) cited a report saying that Japan will deploy a new surface-to-ship missile, part of a plan to strengthen defense of southern islands, as tensions with China over territorial disputes are increasing.

Chinese ships appear near disputed islands with Japan Photo: AP

According to the newspaper, Tokyo is planning to deploy a weapon with a range of 300 km on islands such as Miyako in Okinawa Prefecture. The missile's range will cover the disputed island chain and is expected to be deployed by 2023.

Japan produces this missile using solid fuel, a technology that allows for long-term storage of the weapon and the ability to be launched at short notice.

Japanese Defense Ministry officials have yet to comment.

This information was released in the context of China and Japan being entangled in the dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.

Recently, Japanese diplomatic officials have spoken out against the actions of Chinese ships entering Japanese territorial waters and disputed areas in the East China Sea.

The sovereignty dispute has strained relations between the two countries for some time, although tensions have eased somewhat over the past two years following bilateral talks.

Thanh Huyen

(According to the Guardian)