Japan deploys long-range missiles for the first time.

(CLO) On March 31, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced that it had deployed a long-range missile system for the first time.

Japan has deployed long-range missiles for the first time at a military base in the southwest, marking a significant step in its efforts to bolster its defense capabilities and deterrence amid an increasingly complex regional security environment.

According to officials, the upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missiles, developed and manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, were put into service at Camp Kengun, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Tuesday.

Image of an original Type-12 land-to-ship missile firing. Photo: CC BY 4.0

Speaking to reporters, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi emphasized that Japan is facing "the most serious and complex security environment in the post-war period," therefore strengthening its deterrence and response capabilities is "extremely important." He stated that this move demonstrates Tokyo's determination to bolster its self-defense capabilities.

The upgraded version of the Type-12 missile has a range of approximately 1,000 km, a significant increase from the 200 km of the older version, allowing it to reach distant targets. The deployment of this weapon gives Japan a "long-range strike" capability, enabling it to attack enemy bases from a considerable distance, thus marking a significant shift from its previous purely defensive defense policy under its pacifist constitution.

However, this move has met with resistance from some local residents. Many residents staged protests outside Camp Kengun, expressing concerns that deploying weapons near residential areas could escalate tensions and make the area a target in the event of conflict.

Local residents protested against Japan's deployment of long-range missiles. Photo: Kyodo

On the same day, Japan also deployed a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) to Camp Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, west of Tokyo. The plan is to complete the deployment of additional upgraded Type-12 missiles and HGVs at various other locations, including Hokkaido in the north and Miyazaki in the south, by March 2028.

Additionally, Tokyo plans to equip the destroyer JS Chokai with US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, with a range of approximately 1,600 km, by the end of this year, before expanding their deployment to seven other destroyers.

Last December, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet approved a record defense budget exceeding 9 trillion yen (US$56.44 billion) for the fiscal year beginning in April, aimed at enhancing counter-offensive capabilities, strengthening cruise missile systems, and developing unmanned platforms.

Source: https://congluan.vn/nhat-ban-lan-dau-trien-khai-cac-ten-lua-tam-xa-10336502.html