Japan has deployed its first long-range missile at two of its bases in the country, a move that significantly bolsters country offensive capabilities and marks a departure from its long-held self-defence-only policy. The upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missiles are now operational at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture and Camp Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture.

 

Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated the deployment was crucial given the most severe and complex security environment in the postwar era, adding it demonstrates Japan’s firm determination and capability to defend itself.

 

With a range of approximately 1,000 kilometres, the new missile represents a substantial upgrade from the original’s 200-kilometre reach, enabling it to strike targets as far as mainland China.

 

This provides Japan with a standoff capability, allowing it to hit enemy missile bases from a distance, a strategic shift under its pacifist constitution. 

 

Japan is also moving ahead with the acquisition of additional extended-range missiles to bolster counterstrike capabilities. One of them is the US-made Tomahawk cruise missile, which has a range of roughly 1,600 kilometers. The country also started acquiring in March the Norwegian-made Joint Strike Missile, a cruise missile that has a range of about 500 kilometers and will be mounted on Air Self-Defense Force F-35A fighter jets.