Japan to Deploy Counter‑Strike Missiles in Kumamoto
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- Japan will deploy a batch of long‑range, counter‑strike missiles in Kumamoto, Kyushu, by the end of March.
- Ground Self‑Defence Force plans to position Type 12 surface‑to‑ship missiles, reported to have a 1,000 km range, at the new site.
- Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the Ministry of Defence will brief local residents once preparations are complete.
- Japan is expanding its “counter‑strike” capacity to hit enemy bases if it comes under direct attack amid rising Chinese naval activity in the East China Sea.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s November comment that Tokyo could intervene militarily over Taiwan has led Beijing to impose economic pressure on Japan and discourage Chinese tourists.
- Local media reported that the launcher was delivered overnight without advance notice, prompting dozens of protesters to gather at a nearby military base.
- Critics warn the missile deployment could make Kumamoto a target of enemy attacks.
Why it matters: Japan gains a 1,000 km strike reach that can target enemy bases if attacked, while China faces a new threat near its coast and local residents confront the risk of becoming a target, sparking protests. The deployment also signals Tokyo’s willingness to intervene over Taiwan, further straining Sino‑Japanese relations and inviting economic pressure from Beijing.
