ISTANBUL

Japan’s Defense Ministry on Monday secured land on the easternmost remote island in Okinawa prefecture to deploy a radar unit to monitor Chinese military activity, Kyodo News reported, citing sources.

The ministry signed a land lease agreement with a village on Kitadaito Island to enhance Tokyo’s monitoring capabilities through the radar unit amid escalating tensions between Japan and China.

Construction on Kitadaito Island is set to begin next year, with approximately 30 personnel expected to be assigned to the project, according to the report.

Tensions between China and Japan have escalated since Nov. 7, when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could legally constitute a “survival-threatening situation,” potentially allowing Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense.

Beijing sharply criticized the remarks, urged Chinese tourists to avoid Japan, suspended seafood imports and postponed a trilateral culture ministers’ meeting with Japan and South Korea.