Japan has started deploying Type 03 Chu-SAM to southwestern islands

Japan has started deploying Type 03 Chu-SAM air defense missile system on Amami Oshima island, north east of Okinawa.

JGSDF Type03 SAM (launcher) 02
Los688 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons


The missiles are deployed at Amami while shore-base anti-ship missiles are deployed at Setouchi. Both units will be activated on Mar. 26.

On that same day, another Ground Self-Defense Force base will open on Miyako island in Okinawa. It will eventually host surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles as well.

Source

陸上自衛隊部隊が奄美入り 26日、「奄美警備隊」開設