The Japanese government is exploring the possibility of deploying long-range missiles on the southwestern island of Kyushu, according to Kyodo News citing sources. However, this has raised concerns among local residents who fear their area could become a potential target in the event of a conflict.
The plan involves an upgraded version of the Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, with an extended range of approximately 1,000 km. This move is part of Japan’s efforts to develop "counterstrike capabilities", allowing it to hit enemy bases in response to an attack during emergencies. If deployed on Kyushu, these missiles would put North Korea and coastal areas of China within striking range.
The deployment is expected to begin around March 2026.
At the same time, the report notes that the Japanese government is unlikely to station such missiles on Okinawa, which is closer to China, as this could escalate tensions with Beijing.
Japan’s New National Security Strategy On December 16, 2022, Japan approved an updated National Security Strategy, which explicitly grants the country the right to conduct counterstrikes against enemy territory in self-defense. However, the document emphasizes that preemptive strikes remain prohibited.
The strategy also calls for a near doubling of defense spending by 2027, reaching 2% of GDP. To strengthen its counterstrike capabilities, Japan plans to:
Extend the range of Type 12 missiles,
Develop domestic hypersonic weapons,
Purchase U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles.