Modern War Institute – Amid the strategic competition and simmering tensions in the Indo-Pacific region between the United States and China, Japan has worked to boost its military capability on Yonaguni Island, the westernmost island of Okinawa. This is a sensible move given the island’s strategic importance and proximity to both Taiwan and China. The Japan Self-Defense Forces established a military base and radar station in 2016 with approximately 160 troops to monitor airspace and waterways. Plans are also in place to deploy a missile unit to the island.