Japan Prepares to Host US Missiles Targeting China Under Island Chain Strategy

International News: China is constantly increasing its military activity in the region. Be it the China Strait, Pacific Ocean, or Sea of Japan, the Chinese Navy is expanding its influence everywhere. Due to these activities of China, the concern of America's allies like Taiwan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Japan has increased. While America is fighting a direct trade war with China, it is also preparing to surround China in the Asian region along with these allies.

In view of China's ever-increasing military power and threat, all these countries are increasing their strategic partnership to surround China. Newsweek has released a map and provided information about the locations where Japan can deploy new missiles capable of reaching China's coastal area so that naval ships can be targeted and sunk.

Japan to Deploy Advanced Type 12 Missiles

Newsweek reports that Japan is expected to deploy an advanced version of the Type 12 missile at bases within range of China's coastline. The missile has a range of up to 621 miles. This missile provides Japan with a 'stationary defense capability' to counterattack and destroy enemy forces from beyond their reach.

America created the island chain

Japan is the first island in the US Defense Island Chain strategy, south of which lie Taiwan and the Philippines, which together aim to limit Chinese military activity in their waters, including the disputed East and South China Seas.

China—which has the world's largest navy and the largest aviation force in the Indo-Pacific—is the US's island chain strategy covering the areas around Japan's southwestern islands near Taiwan, areas that China has threatened to occupy by force.

To Counter China’s Growing Military Threat

Japan's advancement of the Type 12 missile is part of a continuing effort to strengthen the defense of its outer islands, as well as upgrade two of its warships to carry fighter jets, as air bases on those islands have limited ability to support fighter jet operations.

Where can China be attacked from?

The base is located on Japan's southernmost main island, Kyushu, with the East China Sea to the west. A map by Newsweek shows that missiles stationed at the base are capable of reaching the east coast of China and almost the entire Korean Peninsula to the north.

According to the report, these missiles are to be deployed during the current financial year, which ends on March 31, 2026. These missiles will act as a deterrent against China, which has increased its naval deployment around Japan's southwestern islands.