Japan is preparing to deploy the first batch of its first indigenously developed long-range missiles. The launchers of these missiles were delivered to the army camp on Monday morning. This has been done because Japan is rapidly strengthening its strike capability in response to increasing challenges in the region. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the upgraded Type-12 ground-to-ship missiles will be deployed to Camp Kengun in southwestern Kumamoto Prefecture by the end of March.
people protested
Army vehicles carrying launchers and other equipment arrived early in the morning on a secret mission, but during this time people also protested outside the camp. Opponents complained about a lack of transparency and said the deployment would increase regional tensions and could make the missiles targets for enemy attacks. Last year, the Defense Ministry had advanced the missile deployment schedule by a year. This step of Japan is mainly in response to the increasing tension around Taiwan by China. Beijing considers Taiwan as its part.
What is the range of the missile?
The upgraded Type-12 missile has a range of about 1,000 km, which is much more than the 200 km range of its original version. With this it can reach China. These missiles will also be deployed to Camp Fuji in Shizuoka, west of Tokyo, later this year. Japan views China as a growing security threat and is boosting military buildup on southwestern islands near the East China Sea.
Japan is taking big steps
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said last month that Japan would deploy medium-range SAM missiles on Yonaguni, Japan’s westernmost island, just east of Taiwan, by March 2031. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has also promised to make major changes in security and defense policy by the end of the year. She wants to further strengthen Japan’s military with pilotless combat weapons and long-range missiles. His government is going to lift the ban on arms export in the coming weeks, so that Japan’s defense industry can develop and cooperation with friendly countries can increase.
