Japan's Ministry of Defense will deploy a surface-to-air missile defense unit on Yonaguni Island, the country's westernmost island near Taiwan, Jiji News reported.
The deployment of the missile troops is part of the plan to expand the Ground Self-Defense Forces on the island, which is part of Okinawa Prefecture, to strengthen the defense of Japan's southwestern islands, Jiji News writes with reference to the official representative of the ministry, Takeshi Aoki.
Earlier this month, Japan unveiled its biggest military buildup since World War II with a $320 billion plan to buy missiles capable of striking China.