US to deploy anti-ship missile system on Japanese island closest to Taiwan

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 4, 2026

The United States will deploy its unmanned NMESIS anti-ship missile system on Japan's Yonaguni Island during the upcoming Keen Sword military exercise, marking its first stationing there and moving closer to Taiwan. This deployment enhances regional sea denial capabilities amid rising tensions between China, Japan, and Taiwan, as Japan also plans to deploy additional air-defense missile units on Yonaguni.

The United States will deploy its Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), an unmanned ground-based anti-ship missile platform, on Yonaguni Island, Japan’s westernmost island located approximately 110 kilometers from Taiwan’s eastern coast. The move, confirmed by Japan’s defense ministry, marks the first time NMESIS will be stationed on Yonaguni and comes amid ongoing regional tensions between Beijing and Tokyo.

The deployment is scheduled to take place during the Keen Sword joint military exercise, which runs from October 19 to 29, and will also see the system return to Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture. Ishigaki lies roughly 127 kilometers east of Yonaguni and about 240 kilometers from Taiwan. Last year, NMESIS was stationed on Ishigaki during the Resolute Dragon exercise, making this year’s deployment a shift closer to Taiwan.

According to Japan’s defense officials, the NMESIS deployment will support training activities at Yonaguni’s garrison. The missile system, used by the US Marine Corps, is designed for sea denial and littoral protection, capable of targeting warships from coastal or island-based positions with a range exceeding 185 kilometers. The system is equipped with jamming-resistant technology, which could pose a threat to vessels operating east of Taiwan during potential conflicts.

The deployment occurs amid heightened tensions in the East China Sea and Taiwan Strait, where China has increased coastguard patrols, naval activities, and maritime research efforts to assert its sovereignty. Relations between Beijing and Tokyo have deteriorated in recent years, particularly following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks last November suggesting that a conflict over Taiwan could result in a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, possibly warranting a military response.

In response to these developments, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized to a visiting Japanese business delegation, led by former Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, the urgency for Tokyo to “correct the erroneous words and deeds of its leaders on the Taiwan question as soon as possible.” Meanwhile, Japan is also advancing plans to deploy air-defense missile units on Yonaguni Island.

China’s Foreign Ministry has criticized Japan’s actions, accusing Tokyo of using "so-called defense and counterstrike" capabilities as justification to enhance its deployment of offensive weapons and missile systems near Chinese territory.

Separately, the US has also deployed NMESIS during the annual Balikatan exercises with the Philippines. This year, the system was stationed in the Batanes Islands, the Philippines’ northernmost province located about 142 to 190 kilometers south of Taiwan, marking the second consecutive year of NMESIS participation in this regional joint exercise.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.