TOKYO, Japan: Japan has positioned long-range missiles in its southwestern region near China, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed on Tuesday, amid heightened tensions between the two nations.
The missile systems have been deployed in Kumamoto, located on the southern island of Kyushu, as Tokyo seeks to strengthen its military posture in response to increased Chinese naval activity in the East China Sea.
“Standoff defense capabilities enable us to counter the threat of enemy forces attempting to invade our country… while ensuring the safety of our personnel,” Koizumi said.
“This is an extremely important initiative for strengthening Japan’s deterrence and response capabilities,” he added.
The surface-to-ship guided missiles have an estimated range of around 1,000 kilometres, placing parts of mainland China within reach, including Shanghai, which lies approximately 900 kilometres from Kumamoto.
Defensive military policy
Koizumi also revealed that a “hyper velocity gliding projectile”, intended to protect remote islands, has been deployed in Shizuoka, a coastal region near Tokyo facing the Pacific Ocean.
Japan has traditionally maintained a strictly defensive military policy. However, in recent years, it has gradually enhanced its defence capabilities as regional powers such as China, Russia and North Korea expand their military activities.
In 2022, Tokyo approved plans to introduce counter-strike missile capabilities, citing evolving threats.
“If we continue to rely solely on ballistic missile defence… it will become increasingly difficult to fully address the threat” of advanced missile systems, a defence white paper noted.
Relations between Japan and China have deteriorated further following remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting possible military involvement in the event of an attack on Taiwan.
The deployment has drawn criticism domestically, with concerns that it could make the region a potential target. Reports also indicated that missile launchers were delivered without prior notice, prompting local protests.
