TOKYO(Realist English). The United States will deploy its newest anti-ship missile system for the first time on the Japanese island of Yonaguni — the closest to Taiwan. At the same time, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces will station their coastal anti-ship missiles there. The deployment will take place as part of joint exercises.
Deployment details
The deployment is taking place within the framework of the US-Japanese exercises “Keen Sword,” which start on October 19 and will last 11 days. The scenario simulates an armed attack on Japan. In addition to the US and Japan, units from Australia, Canada, France, and Germany are participating.
The key system is the American NMESIS (Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System). It is a ground-based anti-ship missile system mounted on remotely operated unmanned vehicles. Its firing range exceeds 180 km. It is considered the main weapon of the US Marine Corps littoral regiments. This will be the first deployment of NMESIS on Yonaguni. At the same time, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces coastal anti-ship missiles with a range of more than 100 km are also planned to be moved to this island for the first time.
Strategic location
Yonaguni Island is located at the westernmost point of Japan and is the Japanese island closest to Taiwan. The sequential deployment of US and Japanese missile systems on this island is interpreted by Japanese media as a “deliberate strengthening of deterrence against China.”
Disputes and reaction
The report also notes that such deployments “can be expected to provoke rejection among the local population.” Earlier, the US already deployed the ground-based Typhon missile system in Kagoshima Prefecture. Russia, in response, directly stated its distrust of the Japanese side’s promises to “withdraw the system after the exercises” and warned that there would be a response.
