U.S. missile system to be deployed in Japan during drills amid China fears

TOKYO - The U.S. military will deploy its Typhon midrange missile launcher and HIMARS rocket system to southwestern Japan next month for joint exercises with the Self-Defense Forces, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday, in a move apparently aimed at deterring China.

The systems will be deployed to the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Kanoya Air Base in Kagoshima Prefecture during the Valiant Shield and Orient Shield joint exercises between June and September, the sources said.