Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) will conduct its first domestic drill involving long-range surface-to-ship missiles between Jun. 24 and 29, as the nation seeks to bolster its ability to address maritime threats, particularly amid China’s expanding naval activities. The GSDF announced on May 13 that the exercise will be held at the missile range next to Camp Shizunai on the southern coast of Hokkaido, with nonexplosive Type 88 missiles to be fired at a target in the Pacific within a 40-kilometer radius southwest of the launch site.
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防衛省, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The upcoming exercise marks the first occasion that the domestically developed Type 88 missile, which has a range of over 100 kilometers, will be launched within Japanese territory. Previously, similar drills took place overseas, primarily in the United States, due to space limitations and safety considerations. The GSDF plans two launches on separate days during the exercise window, depending on weather conditions.
Approximately 300 GSDF personnel will participate in the drill, doubling the usual number for overseas training. The operation will be led by the GSDF’s Northern Army, headquartered in Hokkaido, with local municipalities and fisheries cooperatives set to receive advance notice to ensure safety and minimize disruption.
Conducting the drill domestically is intended to provide more GSDF units with access to advanced missile systems and enhance overall operational readiness. The exercise is part of a broader effort by the Japanese government to adapt its defense policy to evolving regional security challenges.
Looking ahead, Japan is considering establishing an additional missile test range on Minami-Torishima, the country’s easternmost island, to further support such training activities. The government is also exploring domestic exercises for upgraded variants of the Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which are classified as standoff missiles with “counterstrike” capabilities under recent defense policy updates.
The forthcoming drill reflects Japan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its defense posture in response to shifting dynamics in the region.
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