Japan is expected to deploy the US-made Typhon missile system for the first time during joint military exercises with the United States next month, according to Japanese media.
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Analysts view the move as a strategic signal against Beijing, especially in the event of a conflict over Taiwan.
The Chinese foreign ministry criticised the move on Friday, saying Beijing firmly opposed “the US deployment of the Typhon intermediate-range missile system in Asian countries”.
“The deployment of the system in Japan will further undermine the legitimate security interests of other countries. The US and Japan must not introduce the Typhon missile system,” it said.
Kyodo News reported on Wednesday that the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force and US Marine Corps would conduct a large-scale field training exercise with China as its notional enemy in September. The Typhon system would be deployed at the US’ Iwakuni base in Yamaguchi prefecture during the drills, it said, citing multiple Japanese and American sources.
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The system is scheduled to be withdrawn from the base at the end of the exercise, the report said.
