Japan Accelerates Missile Deployment to Counter Regional Threats

As of August 29th, 2025, Japan is taking significant steps to bolster its military capabilities in the face of growing regional tensions. The Japanese Defense Ministry has announced that it will deploy its domestically developed long-range missiles a year earlier than originally planned.

The first batch of the Type-12 anti-ship missiles, with a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), will be installed at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Kengun in the southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto by March 2026. This accelerated timeline marks a shift in Japan's defense strategy, as the country seeks to create a more self-sufficient military to deter China's increasingly assertive naval activity in the region.

Japan's efforts to strengthen its strike-back capability come amid concerns over rising tensions caused by North Korea and Russia. The country is also facing pressure from its treaty ally, the United States, to take on a more offensive role and increase its military spending to 2% of GDP by 2027, up from the previous level of around 1%.

This announcement coincides with the ministry's request for a record 8.8 trillion yen ($59.9 billion) in the fiscal 2026 budget, which will focus on the development of long-range missiles and drones to counter threats from China, North Korea, and Russia. Japan's move represents a historic shift from its post-World War II pacifist constitution, which previously limited the use of force for self-defense only.