防衛大臣の小泉進次郎氏は、沖縄県与那国島に中距離地対空ミサイルを2030年度までに配備する計画を明らかにした。与那国島は台湾の東110キロメートルに位置し、施設改善の進捗によっては時期が変わる可能性がある。
日本政府は、沖縄県与那国島に中距離地対空ミサイル部隊を2030年度までに配備する方針だ。防衛大臣の小泉進次郎氏は2月24日の定例記者会見でこの計画を述べた。
小泉氏は、「現在、駐屯地東側への部隊配備のための施設改善に関する基礎調査などの必要作業を進めている」と説明した。与那国島は台湾に近く、中国人民解放軍（PLA）の活動が活発化する地域として注目されている。
ただし、小泉氏は「中距離地対空部隊の配備時期は、今後の施設改善の進捗によっては変更される可能性があるが、現時点の計画は2030年度だ」と付け加えた。この配備は、自衛隊（SDF）の防衛態勢強化の一環とみられる。
防衛省は、配備に向けた基本的な検討を進めている段階で、詳細なスケジュールは施設の整備状況に左右される。
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South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back is set to visit Japan next week for talks with his counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi. The resumption of military cooperation is expected to be a key agenda item, with the two countries finalizing arrangements for a three-day trip from January 29 to 31. This follows a recent meeting between President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
The Defense Ministry has announced the deployment of the upgraded Type-12 surface-to-ship guided missile system to Camp Kengun in Kumamoto this month. This system forms a key part of Japan's counterstrike capabilities and can target enemy bases. Local communities express wariness about becoming potential targets for foreign attacks.
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Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced that Japan will launch a new office in the Defense Ministry next month to bolster defenses in the Pacific. The office aims to address challenges in protecting Japan's vulnerable eastern flank.
The Japanese government is set to express willingness to participate in the United States' next-generation missile defense system, known as the Golden Dome, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi likely conveying this stance to President Donald Trump at their summit next week. The system is slated to begin operations before January 2029, and Japan hopes it will also enhance its own defenses.
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Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Friday that Japan's initial budget for defense spending and related costs in fiscal 2026 totals about 10.6 trillion yen ($66.5 billion), roughly 1.9 percent of its 2022 gross domestic product or around 1.5 percent using projected fiscal 2026 GDP. Japan aims to raise spending to 2 percent of GDP by fiscal 2027.
The Japanese government has announced plans to prepare for all possible risks following strikes on Iran by the US and Israeli forces. About 200 Japanese nationals are in Iran, with no reported injuries or fatalities. The government aims to protect Japanese citizens in the Middle East.
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Following its initial evacuation plans from war-affected Middle Eastern countries, Japan will dispatch a Self-Defense Forces transport plane to the Maldives on Saturday for standby support, while chartered flights from Oman and Saudi Arabia operate on Sunday to repatriate nationals amid U.S.-Israeli tensions with Iran. The government will cover costs and prioritize elderly people and pregnant women.