Japan deploys long-range missiles with counterstrike capability for first time

Japan on Tuesday said that it deployed long-range missiles with counterstrike capabilities at its two Ground Self-Defense Force bases, the country's Defense Ministry said. "In response to the increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan, the Ground Self Defense Force is engaged in the development of stand-off defense capabilities," the ministry said on X. They have been dispatched "for the first time as domestically developed stand-off missiles," it said.

Missile locations

The missiles were stationed at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan and Camp Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture in central Japan, the Kyodo news agency reported. The ministry said Camp Kengun has been equipped with a ground-launched upgraded Type 12 land-to-ship guided missile, with a range of about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles), capable of reaching parts of the continental coastline from Kyushu. A training unit at Camp Fuji has been equipped with hyper-velocity gliding projectiles for the defense of remote islands.

Future deployments

The missiles are slated for deployment in fiscal 2026 to Camp Kamifurano in Hokkaido and Camp Ebino in Miyazaki Prefecture in the Kyushu region. The current model has a range of several hundred kilometers, the news agency reported, citing sources. The ministry also plans to continue deploying long-range missiles to various units.

Policy shift

The deployment "marks a shift from the country's exclusively defense-oriented policy under its war-renouncing Constitution," Kyodo reported. Local residents in the deployment areas have voiced concerns that the sites could become targets in the event of a conflict, according to the news agency, but the ministry maintains the systems are essential for strengthening deterrence.

Regional context

Japan's missile deployment comes amid heightened regional tensions following North Korean missile tests and China's growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific. The decision also reflects Japan's evolving security posture as it seeks to bolster its defense capabilities in an increasingly challenging security environment.