Japan to deploy counter-strike missiles closer to China

Japan will deploy a batch of long-range counter-strike missiles in its southwestern region near China by the end of March, government officials said.

The country’s Japan Ground Self-Defense Force plans to position its Type 12 surface-to-ship missile in Kumamoto on the island of Kyushu. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters that once preparations are completed, the Ministry of Defense of Japan will brief local residents about the deployment.

“I have been told that once the necessary preparation has been made, the ministry of defence will brief local residents,” Kihara said during a regular government briefing. The Type 12 missile system reportedly has a range of around 1,000 kilometres (620 miles), giving Japan the ability to strike targets at greater distances.

The move comes as Japan seeks to strengthen its military capabilities amid growing naval activity by China in the East China Sea. Tokyo has been developing what it calls a “counter-strike” capability that would allow it to target enemy bases if Japan itself were directly attacked.

Relations between Japan and China have also deteriorated after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Tokyo could intervene militarily if Taiwan were attacked. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly said it does not rule out the use of force to bring the island under its control.

Following Takaichi’s remarks, China reportedly increased economic pressure on Japan and discouraged Chinese tourists from visiting the country.

Local media reported that Japan’s ground forces delivered a launcher for the missiles to Kumamoto overnight without prior notice to local communities, prompting protests outside a nearby military base. Critics argue that deploying the missiles could turn the region into a potential target in the event of military conflict.