Japan Installs First Domestically-Built Long-Range Missiles Amid Regional Tensions

Japan has begun deploying its first home-grown long-range missiles at a military base, marking a significant expansion of the country's offensive capabilities. The move comes as tensions rise with China over Taiwan, prompting Japan to accelerate its military buildup in the region.

Military vehicles carrying Japan’s first domestically-manufactured long-range missiles arrived at a southwestern army base early Monday morning, marking a major milestone in the nation’s expanding defense strategy amid growing regional security concerns.

The enhanced Type-12 land-to-ship missiles reached Camp Kengun in Kumamoto prefecture after midnight in a secretive operation that drew sharp criticism from local residents. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed the weapons system would be fully operational at the facility by the end of March, though he declined to provide additional specifics.

Protesters gathered outside the military installation, displaying banners and chanting “Stop long-range missile deployment!” as the convoy entered the base. Critics have voiced concerns about the secretive nature of the operation and argued that positioning these weapons could heighten regional tensions while making the area a potential target for enemy strikes.

“The prefecture has never been notified,” Kumamoto Gov. Takashi Kimura told reporters later Monday. “It is extremely disappointing that we learned this from media reports.”

The Defense Ministry accelerated the missile deployment timeline by a full year as Japan strengthens its military presence in southwestern regions while China increases pressure around Taiwan, the democratically-governed island that Beijing considers part of its territory.

Manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the enhanced Type-12 missile system can strike targets approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) away, enabling it to reach mainland China. This represents a dramatic improvement over the original version’s 200-kilometer (125-mile) striking distance.

Plans call for installing the next missile battery at Camp Fuji in Shizuoka, located west of Tokyo, before the end of this year.

Japanese officials view China as an escalating security challenge and have prioritized military expansion across southwestern islands near the East China Sea. The country has already positioned PAC-3 interceptors and medium-range surface-to-air missiles throughout the island chain, including installations on Okinawa, Ishigaki and Miyako.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced last month that Japan would install medium-range surface-to-air missiles on Yonaguni, the nation’s westernmost island located just east of Taiwan, with completion scheduled for March 2031.

Regional tensions have intensified following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent statement that Chinese military action against Taiwan could justify a Japanese military response, made shortly after she assumed office.

Takaichi has committed to updating security and defense policies before year’s end and aims to strengthen Japan’s military capabilities with unmanned combat systems and extended-range missiles.

Her administration is also preparing to eliminate restrictions on lethal weapons exports in the coming weeks, designed to boost Japan’s defense industry development and enhance cooperation with allied nations, following recommendations from her party and coalition partners.