US and Japan consider sending mass missiles to the Philippines to try to combat China

The United States is moving forward with plans to establish temporary bases in Japan and the Philippines to deploy advanced missile units in response to China’s growing assertiveness in the region. The information was released by the Japanese news agency Kyodo, which cites anonymous sources familiar with relations between Japan and the USA.

According to the report, the North American initiative includes the use of the Nansei Islands, in southwestern Japan, for the deployment of the US Marine Coastal Regiment.

This regiment will be equipped with High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and other advanced weapons. Additionally, the US Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force plans to deploy its long-range fire units in the Philippines.

Louie Dema-ala, spokesman for the Philippine Army, confirmed the planning to This Week in Asia, but clarified that it is still in its initial phase. Dema-ala highlighted that any implementation will follow appropriate procedures in the Philippines, indicating that the deployment is at the discretion of the Americans.

China’s position on planning was clearly expressed by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning at a press conference. “China firmly opposes relevant countries using the Taiwan issue as an excuse to strengthen military mobilization in the region, increase tensions and confrontation, and disrupt regional peace and stability,” Mao said.

This move by the US highlights the intensification of defense cooperation efforts with key allies in Asia, in an attempt to strengthen its strategic posture in the face of the challenges posed by China’s behavior in the regional geopolitical scenario.

The US decision reflects a broader strategy of military build-up in the Asia-Pacific region, amid growing tensions involving Taiwan and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

With information from SCMP