On Thursday, March 16, Japan deployed up to 570 troops from the Land Self-Defense Forces, including anti-aircraft and anti-ship missile units, to the far south island of Ishigaki near Taiwan and the disputed Senkaku Islands. It has been reported Japan Times.
According to the publication, the transfer was carried out in response to the intensification of Chinese military operations in nearby waters. It has been recorded that Chinese ships repeatedly entered Japanese territorial waters around uninhabited islands.
Hirokazu Matsuno, Former Secretary General of the Cabinet of Japan declarationChina’s plans to increase its defense budget and generally expand military activities in the region are of serious concern to the Japanese side and its allies.
He also criticized the actions of PRC officials in the South China and East China Seas, noting that Beijing’s military activity in the region is an unprecedented level of challenge. According to the Secretary-General, Japan needs to respond to this together with its allies.