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US Deploys Typhon Missile System to Japan's Kagoshima for Joint Drills Amid China Tensions

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The U.S. military is deploying its Typhon medium-range missile system to Kagoshima, Japan, for joint exercises with Japanese forces.
  • This deployment is seen as a measure to counter China's growing military presence in the region.
  • The Typhon system can launch Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of up to 1,600 kilometers, potentially striking Chinese territory.

In a significant move aimed at countering China's expanding military influence, the U.S. military is set to deploy its Typhon medium-range missile system to Kagoshima Prefecture in southern Japan. The system will participate in joint exercises with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, beginning June 22 and continuing until July 1 as part of the "Valiant Shield" exercise.

I believe that temporarily deploying such assets to Self-Defense Forces facilities and conducting repeated joint training not only enhances the U.S. military's rapid deployment capabilities but also improves the response capabilities and coordinated operations of the U.S. and Japan.

— Koizumi ShinjiroExplaining the purpose of the temporary deployment and joint training.

The ground-based Typhon system is capable of firing Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have a range of up to 1,600 kilometers, bringing parts of China within striking distance. This deployment marks the second time the Typhon system has been brought to Japan, following a brief deployment to the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture last year.

The U.S. has informed us that this does not constitute a permanent deployment in Japan.

— Koizumi ShinjiroReassuring about the temporary nature of the deployment.

Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro stated that the temporary deployment and joint training are intended to enhance the U.S. military's rapid deployment capabilities and improve the joint response and operational coordination between the U.S. and Japan. He emphasized that the system's presence is for training purposes and will not constitute a permanent deployment in Japan.

The deployment of strategic offensive weapons like the Typhon system will harm the legitimate security interests of other countries, threaten regional strategic security, and promote the risk of military confrontation and arms races.

— Guo Jia KunChinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson commenting on the deployment.

However, the move is expected to provoke Beijing. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously accused such deployments of accelerating Japan's remilitarization and warned that deploying strategic offensive weapons like the Typhon system threatens regional security, escalates military confrontation, and risks an arms race. The U.S. military will also deploy HIMARS rocket systems during these exercises, though neither system is scheduled for live-fire drills in Kagoshima.

It will only bring harm to the peace and stability of the region.

— Guo Jia KunFurther criticism from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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