Japan, embroiled in a standoff with China, plans to deploy surface-to-air missiles on a remote western island near Taiwan by 2031, the country's defense ministry said.

This is the first time Japan has set a deadline for the deployment of its missiles since 2022, when it announced plans to deploy them on Yonaguni.

China, which considers self-ruled Taiwan to be part of its territory, has not ruled out the use of force to "reunify" the island.

Yonaguni is a Japanese island 110 kilometers (70 miles) off the coast of Taiwan and on a clear day, Taiwan can be seen from the island.

Tokyo and Beijing have been at loggerheads since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that his country would deploy its self-defense forces if Taiwan was attacked.

There has long been concern that any attack on Taiwan, considered a US ally, would lead to a direct confrontation between Washington and Beijing. If such a war were to break out, it is likely that US allies in the region, such as Japan, would also be involved.

The Japanese prime minister’s speech in parliament has brought relations between the two countries to a new low in years.

China has also sought to pressure Japan in various ways. Measures taken by China include sending warships, blocking rare earth minerals, restricting Chinese visits, canceling concerts, and even returning pandas.