Japan Conducts Landmark Missile Test Amid Regional Tensions
In a significant move towards bolstering its defense capabilities, Japan’s military conducted its inaugural missile test on home soil, highlighting a shift in the country’s defense posture amidst rising regional tensions. This development is a clear response to China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
The test involved the firing of the Type 88 surface-to-ship, short-range missile from the Shizunai Anti-Air Firing Range located in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island. Approximately 300 soldiers from the Ground Self-Defense Force’s 1st Artillery Brigade took part, targeting an unmanned boat positioned 40 kilometers off Hokkaido’s southern coast.
The results of the missile test are still under review by Japanese officials, according to the Ground Self-Defense Force. Historically, Japan has relied on its allies, conducting such tests in the United States and Australia due to space and safety considerations.
This domestic test is part of Japan’s broader strategy to enhance its military independence and develop strike-back capabilities, serving as a deterrent against China’s intensified naval activities. Japan’s concerns are further fueled by joint military exercises conducted by China and Russia near its shores, coupled with ongoing territorial disputes with Russia.
Japan’s security strategy has evolved significantly since 2022, after enacting a five-year plan that identifies China as a primary strategic threat while emphasizing stronger ties with the United States. This marks a departure from Japan’s post-WWII pacifist Constitution, which traditionally limited military force to self-defense.
Looking ahead, Japan plans to deploy long-range cruise missiles, including Tomahawks procured from the United States, starting later this year. Additionally, Japan is working on the Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, boasting a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers, significantly surpassing the Type 88.
The Type 88 missile, a product of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has a reach of about 100 kilometers and is mounted on trucks for mobility. In a further move to fortify its defenses, Japan is initiating plans to construct a missile-firing range on Minamitorishima, its easternmost island in the Pacific, where Chinese aircraft carriers have recently been observed operating.
