Japan to beef up islands’ missile units

TOKYO — Japan’s Defense Ministry plans to deploy missile units with 500 to 600 personnel on Ishigakijima island in Okinawa prefecture, sources said.

It will bring the total number of sites with missile units in the Nansei island chain to four, including the main island of Okinawa. The move apparently is made with an eye toward China, which is strengthening its maritime presence.

According to the sources, one of the new units will operate surface-to-ship and ground-to-air missiles and another will handle the initial response phase in the event of a major disaster or armed attack.

The government will include expenses related to the deployment in its budgetary request for fiscal 2022.

New camps will be built on the former site of a golf course away from urban areas on Ishigakijima island, along with housing facilities, an ammunition depot and a training ground.

China has formulated an anti-access and area-denial strategy to prevent U.S. forces from approaching China from the island chain and is increasing its military activities in nearby sea regions.