The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force has opened a new station on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, deploying its missile force closest to Taiwan.

(Associated Press file photo)

[Central News Agency] The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force opened a new station on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture on March 16 to deploy the missile force closest to Taiwan.

Japan's Defense Minister Yasuichi Hamada, attending a ceremony today to consider China's recent actions, said that the deployment of troops is to improve deterrence and response capabilities.

Japan's Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) reported that Hamada went to the Ishigaki station today to express his thoughts on doing a good job of security and surveillance for China, which has frequent activities in places such as the Diaoyutai Islands (known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan).

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In order to strengthen the defense of the Southwest Islands, the Japanese government deployed about 570 members and anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles at the newly opened Ground Self-Defense Force Ishigaki Station on March 16.

The opening commemorative ceremony of the Ishigaki station was held today. Hamada said in a speech, "The team members have shouldered the complete defense system of the Southwest Islands including Ishigaki Island."

In an interview, Hamada said that considering China's frequent activities near the Diaoyutai Islands, it has also strengthened its pressure on Taiwan. "The deployment of troops in the southwest region is to show that Japan does not allow unilateral changes to the status quo by force, and to increase deterrence. and the ability to deal with it”, expressing the view that we will do a good job of complete vigilance and surveillance.

As for the outside world's concern about whether missiles will be deployed as a "counterattack capability" in the Ishigaki garrison, Hamada only said, "The specific deployment location has not been decided yet, and it is not yet at the stage where we can answer."

Following Yonaguni Island and Miyako Island, the deployment of troops has been completed after the opening of a garrison on Ishigaki Island. The original plan of the Ministry of Defense to deploy troops in the Southwest Islands has come to an end.

Residents of Ishigaki, however, are increasingly concerned about the future deployment of missiles as a "counterattack capability" by the island's garrison.

When the commemorative ceremony was held today, about 30 citizens and others gathered outside the station to protest. They pulled cloths with words such as "Don't let the missile base" and "Don't let Ishigaki Island become a battlefield, avoid war through diplomacy" and so on. Article expressing opposition to the deployment of the Self-Defense Forces on the island.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasuichi Hamada.

(Bloomberg file photo)