Regional Security Challenge: Japan Deploys Long-Range Missiles

लगानी न्यूज

१७ चैत्र २०८२, मंगलवार १७:११March 31, 2026

. Japan’s deployment of a long-range missile for the first time marks a turning point in its defence strategy amid growing regional security challenges.

According to officials, the upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missile was launched at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto prefecture in the southwestern region, signaling a significant expansion in the country’s offensive capability.TAG_OPEN_div_28

The missile, developed by Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has a range of about TAG_OPEN_div_26 one thousand kilometers. This is a huge expansion beyond its old capacity of 200 km. This gives Japan the standoff capability to strike potential enemy military bases from a distance. This capability is seen as a sign of a shift in Japan’s decades-long self-defence-focused security policy.

Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi described the current security environment as “the most complex and serious post-war”, saying it was “critical to the country’s defence and response capabilities”.TAG_OPEN_div_24 According to him, it also shows Japan’s determination to defend itself. But the move has also raised concerns at the local level. Residents near Camp Cangon protested against the deployment of the missiles. They said the move would escalate regional tensions and increase the risk of the region becoming a potential target for attacks.

Japan plans to expand such weapons systems to different parts of the country in the coming years, not just in one location.TAG_OPEN_div_22 A hypersonic glide vehicle was also deployed to Camp Fuji in Shizuoka prefecture on Tuesday. By March 2028, the upgraded Type-12 missiles and other advanced systems will be deployed to various locations from Hokkaido to Miyazaki.

Meanwhile, Japan is also planning to include American-made Tomahawk cruise missiles in its naval capabilities.TAG_OPEN_div_20 By the end of this year, the missiles will be deployed on the Japanese destroyer JS Chokai with a range of 1,600 km and will be expanded to seven more destroyers later.

Japan regards China as its main regional security threat.TAG_OPEN_div_18 In recent years, military build-up has been strengthened on the southwestern islands near the East China Sea. Tokyo’s concerns were heightened in June when two Chinese aircraft carriers were spotted operating at the same time near a remote Japanese island.

The government led by Prime Minister Sane Takaichi has approved a defense budget of more than 90 trillion yen for the next fiscal year, which aims to strengthen coastal security through strike back capabilities, cruise missiles and unmanned weapons systems.TAG_OPEN_div_16

At the same time, it has also been announced to establish a new office to study China’s growing activities in the Pacific region.TAG_OPEN_div_15 There is a growing sense of caution and concern in the regional environment as Japan signs that it may be responding to a possible crisis related to Taiwan.