Japan Eyes Long-Range Missiles at Kyushu to Counter China's Threats

Japan is contemplating a significant military upgrade by deploying long-range missiles on Kyushu island, a move aimed at fortifying the security of its southwestern Nansei island chain, close to Taiwan. According to Kyodo News, this deployment, slated for March 2026, is part of Japan’s push to develop “counterstrike capabilities” to strike enemy targets in emergencies, reflecting growing concerns over a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

The Nansei islands, stretching from Kyushu toward Taiwan, hold strategic importance amid escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific. China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province to be reunified—by force if needed—recently cautioned Japan against meddling in Taiwan affairs. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking in Beijing last week, warned that linking a Taiwan contingency to Japan’s security could “invite trouble” for Tokyo, framing China as a historical opportunity rather than a threat.

Japan’s move follows China’s increasingly assertive military maneuvers, including frequent large-scale exercises near Taiwan. Taiwanese Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Chih-chung Wu, in a recent Japan Times interview, praised Japan’s defense buildup and its growing regional security role, exemplified by Japanese warships transiting the Taiwan Strait. “We strongly welcome this initiative,” Wu said, suggesting that a united front of nations invested in stability could deter Beijing’s aggression.

The missiles, an upgraded Type-12 model with a 1,000-kilometer range, would place North Korea and China’s coastal regions within reach from Kyushu, enhancing Japan’s deterrence posture. While Okinawa, closer to China, was considered, Kyushu emerged as a less provocative site. As Japan deepens ties with Taiwan and like-minded nations, this deployment signals a shift from its pacifist past, balancing national defense with the risk of inflaming tensions with its powerful neighbor.