Japan Moves Radar Unit Closer to Taiwan, Senkakus Over Chinese Military Activity
The Japanese military has re-positioned a mobile radar unit to Yonaguni Island, Japan’s westernmost territory, in response to Chinese military activity in the region, Stars and Stripes reported on Monday.
Japan sent 20 troops and a TPS-102 radar unit to the island, which is about 70 miles off Taiwan’s eastern coast and about 125 miles south of the Senkaku islands, or Diayous as they are known in China.
The Senkakus are Japanese-controlled uninhabited islands in the East China Sea that are also claimed by China and Taiwan.
Tokyo often complains about Chinese coast guard vessels sailing near the Senkakus.
A Japanese military spokesman said that the radar unit was sent to the area to “strengthen the defense of our country at a time when neighboring countries are increasing their activities around our country.”
US officials have repeatedly told their Japanese counterparts that the US would intervene to defend the Senkakus if they come under attack.
In his first call with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Biden reaffirmed that the Article 5 mutual defense clause of the US-Japan Security Treaty applies to the Senkakus.
