Japan is considering deploying long-range missiles on the southwestern island of Kyushu as part of the country’s efforts to acquire “counterstrike capabilities” to hit enemy targets in the event of an emergency, Kyoto News reported. The deployment is expected to commence at the end of the next fiscal year in March 2026.
防衛省 (Ministry of Defense), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This planned deployment is aimed at bolstering the security of the country’s southwestern Nansei island chain. This region is strategically important due to its proximity to Taiwan, amid growing fears that the self-ruled democratic island may be invaded by China. China regards Taiwan as a renegade province that must be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.
The missiles under consideration for deployment are an upgraded version of the Ground-Self Defense Force’s (GSDF) Type-12 land-to-ship guided missile, with an extended range of 1,000 kilometers. Deployment in Kyushu would put North Korea and China’s coastal areas within range. This missile is also officially known as the 12式地対艦誘導弾能力向上型 (Type 12 Surface-to-Ship missile Improved Capacity) and is a new stealth cruise missile under development based on the existing Type-12. It is intended to be utilised as a counterstrike capability for self-defence, with the ability to attack enemy missile bases.
Authorities are currently assessing possible deployment sites, with the GSDF’s surface-to-ship missile regiment garrisons in Yufu in Oita Prefecture and the city of Kumamoto identified as potential locations. However, local residents have expressed concerns that they could become targeted in enemy attacks.
Notably, the southern island prefecture of Okinawa, which lies closer to mainland China, is unlikely to be a deployment site. This is due to concerns among authorities that deployment in Okinawa could heighten tensions with Beijing.
The rationale behind this deployment is Japan’s effort to acquire “counterstrike capabilities” to hit enemy targets in an emergency. This initiative aligns with Japan’s decision, outlined in the National Defence Program Guidelines and the Mid-Term Defence Program decided in December 2018, to introduce stand-off missiles. Initially, Japan planned to procure foreign-made missiles such as JSM, JASSM, and LRASM, but these acquisitions have faced delays due to issues like shortages of foreign-made equipment and rising modification costs for the F-15J aircraft intended to carry JASSM and LRASM. To address these delays and the cancellation of Aegis Ashore deployment, a cabinet decision in December 2020 included the development of an enhanced Type-12 missile capable of being launched from various platforms as part of strengthening stand-off defence capabilities. The development includes ground-launched, ship-launched, and air-launched versions. The development period for the ground-launched version is from fiscal year 2021 to 2025, for the ship-launched version from 2022 to 2026, and for the air-launched version from 2022 to 2028. The total project cost is estimated at approximately ¥99.9 billion, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the primary contractor.
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