US to field midrange missiles in Japan for joint drills amid rising China tensions
The US military will deploy intermediate-range missile systems to Japan for joint drills with Japanese forces, Nikkei Asia reported. The move comes alongside Tokyo's decision to step up defence spending and has drawn a sharp response from China. Beijing said the deployment will disrupt regional security.
US Pacific Command said it will transfer intermediate-range ground-launched missile systems for joint drills on Japan's southern islands. Nikkei Asia reported that the exercises aim to refresh joint operational protocols between US forces and Japan's Self-Defence Forces. Exercise duration and missile counts were not disclosed.
Japan's defence minister, Koizumi, said strengthening the country's defence capability is "critical to preventing war." Tokyo continues to pursue its plan to lift defence spending to 2% of GDP by 2027. The opposition has raised questions about interpretation under Article 9 of the constitution.
China's foreign ministry said the move would "destabilise the Asia-Pacific" and "provoke an arms race." Beijing threatened countermeasures in commercial procurement and trade. South Korea and Australia said they had been informed within the alliance framework and were monitoring the process.
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