GSDF Opens New Garrison on Ishigaki Island Near Taiwan
![](https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/10417903.jpg)
Self-Defense Forces vehicles drive through the city of Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, on March 5 to deliver equipment to a new garrison.
12:52 JST, March 17, 2023
The Ground Self-Defense Force opened a garrison on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture on Thursday where it deployed surface-to-ship and surface-to-air missile units, among others.
Amid China’s aggressive maritime expansion, the Nansei Islands, excluding the main island of Okinawa, were long considered a defense-forces vacuum. But the latest base was the last in a planned series of new Self-Defense Forces garrisons. Since 2016, garrisons have been built on the islands of Yonaguni and Miyakojima in Okinawa Prefecture as well as on Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture. The Defense Ministry said “the vacuum situation has been resolved.”
This is the first time that an SDF facility has been built on Ishigaki Island. The garrison, located in the center of the island, covers an area of about 47 hectares. The garrison has about 570 personnel, including those in anti-aircraft and missile companies.
Type 12 surface-to-ship guided missiles and type 03 medium-range surface-to-air guided missiles are scheduled to arrive at the garrison as early as Saturday.
This is the third deployment of missile units to the Nansei Islands, excluding the main island of Okinawa, and follows dispatches to Amami-Oshima and Miyakojima islands. The missile units on Ishigaki Island are the closest to Taiwan among such SDF companies. It has also been reported that in the future a surface-to-air missile unit will be deployed to Yonaguni Island, closer still to Taiwan.
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japan Ministry Concerned Over Same-Sex Couple Receiving City-Issued Resident Certificates Referring to ‘Common-Law Husband’
-
Japan Govt Predicts China’s Forces Could Land on Taiwan Within 1 Week of Enforcing Blockade; Drills Conducted in 2023 Analyzed
-
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike Wins Third Straight Term; Voters Respond to Achievements in Child Care, Education
-
Incumbent Tokyo Governor Leads as Election Day Approaches; 20% of Survey Respondents Still Undecided
-
Japan, U.S. to Compile Joint Document on Extended Deterrence; Foreign, Defense Ministers to Hold Talks
JN ACCESS RANKING