TOKYO (AP) — Japan is preparing to deploy its first batch of domestically produced long-range missiles, with launchers arriving at military camps on Monday as the country accelerates its offensive capabilities to counter growing challenges in the region.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that the upgraded Type 12 land-to-ship missiles will be deployed at Kengun Military Camp in Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan by the end of March to complete the deployment process, but did not disclose details.
Military vehicles carrying launchers and other equipment arrived after midnight in a highly secretive mission that was criticized by local residents. Dozens of people stood outside the camp, chanting “Stop deploying long-range missiles!” and holding banners with protest messages.
Opponents complain of a lack of transparency and say the deployment would instead heighten tensions and make the missiles a target.
“The prefecture was never notified,” Kumamoto Governor Takashi Kimura told reporters late Monday. “It is extremely disappointing that we learned this from media reports.”
Last year, Japan’s Defense Ministry brought forward its missile deployment schedule by a year as Japan accelerated its military buildup in the southwest and China escalated tensions around Taiwan. Taiwan is a self-governing island claimed by Beijing.
The upgraded Type 12 missile, developed and produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) and can reach mainland China, significantly longer than the original 200 kilometers (125 miles) range.
Next, it will be deployed to Camp Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, west of Tokyo later this year.
Japan views China as a growing security threat and has pushed for a military buildup on southwestern islands near the East China Sea. It has deployed PAC-3 interceptors and medium-range surface-to-air missiles on many islands, including Okinawa, Ishigaki and Miyako.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said last month that Japan will deploy medium-range surface-to-air missiles on Japan’s westernmost island of Yonaguni (east of Taiwan) by March 2031.
Tensions have escalated since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made comments shortly after taking office that any Chinese military action against Taiwan could justify a Japanese military response.
Takaichi promised to revise security and defense policies by the end of this year and seek to further strengthen Japan’s military power through unmanned combat weapons and long-range missiles.
Her government will also lift restrictions on lethal weapons exports in the coming weeks to boost Japan’s defense industry and cooperation with friendly countries, according to a proposal recently submitted by her party and its ruling coalition partners.