(MENAFN) Tokyo deployed fighter aircraft on emergency alert Monday following detection of an unidentified drone—believed to be Chinese—operating near Yonaguni, Japan's westernmost territorial island.

"A suspected Chinese drone passed between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan," the Japanese Defense Ministry announced Tuesday via the US social media platform X.

Southwestern Air Defense Force interceptors "were scrambled" urgently to confront the aerial intrusion, ministry officials confirmed.

Beijing has not responded to Tokyo's allegations regarding the drone incident.

The airspace violation came one day after China lodged a formal protest against Japan's reported intentions to position missile systems on Yonaguni.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi conducted a site inspection of Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture on Sunday, where Japanese forces plan to establish a medium-range, surface-to-air missile unit, media reported.

During the island visit, Koizumi affirmed that missile deployment on Yonaguni—situated approximately 110 kilometers (68.3 miles) from Taiwan—would move forward as scheduled, according to media.

Addressing reporters Tuesday, the defense chief dismissed Chinese objections, noting that identical weapons systems have already been positioned throughout Japanese territory.

"The weapons are for national security," Koizumi stated.

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