Japan has officially operationalized its inaugural long-range missile system at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto prefecture, marking a transformative moment in the nation’s defense strategy. The upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missiles, manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, now possess an extended operational range of approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles)—a fivefold increase from their previous capability.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi characterized the deployment as essential to Japan’s national security, stating that the system significantly enhances the country’s deterrence and response capabilities amid what he described as ‘the most severe and complex security environment in the postwar era.’ The new missiles provide Japan with standoff strike capacity, enabling preemptive targeting of enemy bases from considerable distances.
Simultaneously, Japan deployed hypersonic glide vehicles at Camp Fuji in Shizuoka prefecture, with additional missile installations planned across Hokkaido, Miyazaki, and other locations by March 2028. The nation further anticipates integrating U.S.-manufactured Tomahawk cruise missiles, with a remarkable 1,600-kilometer range, aboard multiple destroyers beginning later this year.
This strategic pivot occurs against mounting regional tensions, particularly concerning China’s military expansion. Recent incidents include the simultaneous operation of two Chinese aircraft carriers near Japanese territorial waters—an unprecedented development that prompted Tokyo to establish a specialized office monitoring Chinese Pacific activities.
The deployment has provoked domestic opposition, with residents near Camp Kengun protesting the installation, citing increased security risks and potential for regional escalation. These concerns highlight the ongoing tension between Japan’s evolving security requirements and its longstanding pacifist constitutional principles.