Japan's Ground Self-Defence Force inaugurated a new anti-ship missile force at Camp Katsuren, Uruma, with a ceremony held in Okinawa on March 30. Defence Minister Oniki Makoto said the 200 troop-strong unit is armed with Type 12 coastal defence anti-ship missile systems. The unit will be tasked with defending Japan’s southwestern region and even “blocking a possible invasion” by an unnamed foreign adversary, said Makoto. The Japanese missile force would “monitor” Chinese warships.