<p >The Japan Self Defence Forces are expected to move ahead with the deployment of Type 03 surface to air missile systems, otherwise referred to as the Chu SAM, to the island of Yonaguni, which represents the closest Japanese territory to China. Yonaguni is notably closer to the seat of government on Taiwan, Taipei, than many of the cities on the island at just 150 kilometres away, providing the territory with considerable strategic value. Japan has strongly committed to supporting the position of the Republic of China government in Taipei, which remains officially in a<a href=" target="_blank"> state of civil war</a> with the Chinese mainland and claims to be the sole legitimate government of the entire Chinese nation. Although Tokyo formally recognises Beijing’s claim over Taiwan, it maintains closer unofficial strategic ties with Taipei. </p><p >The Type 03 system is closely integrated with Japan’s wider air defence network that deploys American MIM-104 Patriot and AEGIS long range air defence systems, as well as with the networks of its Western Bloc allies, and can provide targeting data to Japanese and allied assets. The system’s interception capabilities, however, are expected to be highly limited against new Chinese high speed ballistic missiles and cruise missiles such as the <a href=" target="_blank">YJ-21 which flies at Mach 6 speeds</a>. The militarisation of Yonaguni represents a major landmark in Japan’s moves to more actively intervene in Taiwan Strait security, and complements efforts by the United States to <a href=" target="_blank">significantly strengthen</a> its military presence near Taiwan.</p>
Japan Moving Ahead With Taiwan Strait Missile Deployment Just 150 Kilometres From Taipei
