Japan deploys missiles to defend disputed islands.

(Baonghean.vn) - The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported today (August 14) that Japan will deploy a new land-to-ship missile as part of a plan to strengthen the defense of its southern islands, amid rising tensions with China over territorial disputes.

Chinese ships appear near islands disputed with Japan. (Photo: AP)

According to the report, 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 would cover the disputed island chain and is expected to be deployed in 2023.

Japan manufactures this missile using solid fuel, a technology that allows for long-term weapon storage and the potential for deployment in the near future.

Japanese Defense Ministry officials have not yet commented.

This information comes amid the ongoing dispute between China and Japan over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.

Recently, Japanese diplomatic officials have voiced their opposition to Chinese ships entering Japanese territorial waters and the disputed area in the East China Sea.

The sovereignty dispute has strained relations between the two countries for a long time, although the level of tension has eased somewhat in the past two years following bilateral talks.

Thanh Huyen

(According to The Guardian)