Japan plans to deploy long-range cruise missiles to counter growing regional threat from China

Japan is considering deploying more than 1,000 long-range cruise missiles to improve its ability to counter emerging threats. Regions of China, daily refers to Sunday Yomiuri Shimbun.

The country plans to extend its current range of missiles from 100 kilometers to nearly 1,000 kilometers, which would be enough to reach the Chinese coast and North Korea.the newspaper said, citing unspecified sources.

The paper confirms that existing ships and aircraft will also need to be updated to launch the new missiles that can hit targets on land.

The missiles will be positioned around the southwestern part of Kyushu., and on small islands in southwestern Japanese waters, not far from Taiwan.

Japanese officials could not be reached for comment at this time.

Japanese military strength was not officially recognized in the post-war constitutionAnd spending in this sector should be limited to defensive capabilities.

Recent geopolitical tensions, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or China’s aggressive approach to Taiwan, have generated calls in the archipelago to review and improve defense plans in Japan.

The Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) of East China’s Zhejiang Province made the announcement on Sunday. It will block access to the southern seas because of new military exercises planned for Monday in the area.

For years, China has had territorial disputes with Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines over several islands in the South China Sea. Significant hydrocarbon reserves have been discovered on the continental shelf of these islands, particularly in Jisha (Paracel Islands), Nansha (Spratly Islands) and Huangyan (Scarborough Reef).

Several Japanese government officials confirmed this to a Japanese newspaper Yomiuri This Sunday, they are considering buying an arsenal of more than 1,000 long-range missiles to “fill the gap” amid heightened tensions in the region after China’s military exercises around Taiwan and tensions in the South Sea.

On the other hand, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry confirmed on Saturday that five Chinese warships and at least 17 warplanes had approached the region’s maritime defense line. Beijing’s new power juggernaut demands what it considers its sovereign rights over the territory.

For its part, The US hopes that China will “intensify its military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan”.Its top envoy to East Asia said, Daniel Crittenbrinkduring a conference call on Thursday.

“While our policy hasn’t changed, what has changed is Beijing’s increasing coercionKritenbrink said.

In response to the US House of Representatives Speaker’s visit to Taipei, the Chinese military conducted several days of air and sea military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. Nancy Pelosi.

“These actions are part of an intensified pressure campaign to intimidate and pressure Taiwan and undermine its resistance.Added Kritenbrink.

(With information from AFP and EP)

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