Japan is considering deploying 1,000 long-range cruise missiles to boost its ability to launch an attack against China in anticipation of the two sides entering into a military conflict, the Yomiuri newspaper reported Sunday.
The newspaper, quoting government sources, said that the missiles would be current weapons modified to expand their range from 100 to 1,000 kilometers.
Yomiuri added that the weapons, which will be launched by ships or aircraft, will be mainly stationed around the southern islands of Nancy, and will be able to reach the coastal areas of North Korea and China.
Japan has increased its military spending and adopted a more assertive strategy in recent years, but has refrained from deploying long-range missiles within its borders for weapons that can strike targets on foreign soil.
Regional tensions escalated in August after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, which is self-governing but China considers its own province.
Pelosi's trip was followed by another visit of a US parliamentary delegation that arrived in Taipei last week, led by Democratic Senator Ed Markey, and also included 4 members of the House of Representatives.
The delegation met with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen last Monday, and the two discussed cooperation in security and supply chains.
Recently, Beijing launched missiles near Taiwan and in Japan's exclusive economic zone.