Japan sets up new military bases against Chinese threat

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA - Japan has launched new military bases in an apparent response to what Tokyo perceives as Chinese threat in the North Pacific, local media reported Tuesday.

According to Japan Times, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) have been deployed on Amami Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture and Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture.

"[The deployment of GSDF] is part of [Japan’s] moves to enhance the defense of southwestern islands in the country," the daily said.

The report said that the newly established bases will take "charge of first response in the case of an emergency and serve as key footholds for related operations".

"The GSDF continues to revamp its organization in response to military threats from China," it said.

In its latest defense move, Japan is deploying 560 troops at the Amami Oshima base, the daily said.

The number of military personnel at the Miyako base will reach as many as 800 with the deployment of 380 more personnel manning missile defense units.