Japan may soon buy an island in the East China Sea that could end up being an unsinkable aircraft carrier for the United States, CNN reports.
What’s going on: Japan is announcing the purchase of Mageshima Island, which is an uninhabited island about 21 miles off the coast of Kyushu, a Japanese main island, according to CNN.
- Japan will pay 16 billion yen ($146 million) for the island, according to South China Morning Post.
- A Tokyo development company previously owned the island.
- A previous project left two runways on the strip of land. Otherwise, it’s empty.
- Japan will pave the runways for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps planes.
- The planes will be used to simulate aircraft carrier landings.
Next: The island could become a special location for Japan’s Self Defense Forces, allowing the country to add strength to its position in the East China Sea, CNN reports.
What they’re saying: Chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga to the South China Morning Post: “It’s important to secure the site for field carrier landing practice from the viewpoint of security so we will continue to try to build a permanent facility at an early date.”