The U.S. will take an unprecedented military step on the Japanese island closest to Taiwan

 The United States will deploy its NMESIS ground-based anti-ship missile platform for the first time to the Japanese island of Yonaguni, located approximately 110 kilometers from Taiwan, the SCMP reports.

The Okinawa Defense Bureau stated that the move aims to support training at the local garrison, where U.S. forces and Japan's Self-Defense Forces will establish a joint coordination center to conduct territorial defense drills.

 The bilateral Keen Sword exercise, scheduled for October 19–29, will test the system's high mobility. Operated by the U.S. Marine Corps, it has a range of over 185 kilometers and is designed for coastal defense and neutralizing ships from land.

 Units will not only deploy to Yonaguni but also return to Ishigaki Island, located about 240 kilometers from Taiwan, where they previously operated last year.

In addition to the anti-ship artillery, the MADIS mobile short-range air defense system, designed to track and neutralize low-flying drones and aircraft, will be deployed to the area for the first time.