Additional Coverage:
- Japan deploys its first long-range missiles (apnews.com)
Japan Deploys First Long-Range Missile Amid Rising Regional Tensions
TOKYO – Japan has taken a significant step in strengthening its military capabilities with the deployment of its first long-range missile system, officials announced Tuesday. The upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missiles, developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, are now operational at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto prefecture, located in southwestern Japan.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi emphasized the importance of this development, stating, “As Japan faces the most severe and complex security environment in the postwar era, it is an extremely important capability to strengthen Japan’s deterrence and responsiveness. This deployment demonstrates Japan’s firm determination and capability to defend itself.”
The enhanced Type-12 missile boasts a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), a substantial increase from the original model’s 200 kilometers (125 miles). This extended range potentially allows Japan to target missile bases on mainland China, marking a notable shift in the country’s defense posture by establishing a “standoff” capability-enabling strikes from a safer distance.
However, the deployment has met opposition from local residents near Camp Kengun, who voiced concerns that stationing such weapons close to residential areas may heighten regional tensions and increase the risk of their communities becoming targets.
Expanding Defense Systems Across Japan
On the same day, Japan also deployed a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) to Camp Fuji in Shizuoka prefecture, west of Tokyo. This new system is part of broader efforts to defend Japan’s southwestern islands. Further deployments of both the upgraded Type-12 missiles and HGVs are planned across multiple locations, including Hokkaido in the north and Miyazaki in the south, by March 2028.
Additionally, Japan plans to equip its naval destroyers with U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have a range of 1,600 kilometers (990 miles). The JS Chokai destroyer will be the first to receive these missiles later this year, with plans to extend the capability to seven more vessels.
Addressing the Growing Security Threat from China
Japan’s defense expansions come amid growing concerns over China’s military activities, particularly near the East China Sea and Japan’s southwestern islands. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet approved a record defense budget exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for the fiscal year starting in April, aiming to enhance Japan’s strike-back and coastal defense capabilities through advanced missile systems and unmanned technologies.
The Japanese government’s vigilance intensified last June when two Chinese aircraft carriers operated simultaneously near Japan’s remote Pacific islands-a first that raised alarms over Beijing’s expanding military reach. In response, the Defense Ministry recently established a dedicated office to monitor China’s Pacific activities.
Tensions have further escalated following Prime Minister Takaichi’s November statement that any Chinese military aggression against Taiwan could prompt a Japanese military response, signaling a potential shift toward a more proactive defense posture in the region.
Read More About This Story:
- Japan deploys its first long-range missiles (apnews.com)