Japan Advances Plans to Deploy Long-Range Missiles on Kyushu

The missile deployment, set for March 2026, aims to bolster Japan's counterstrike capabilities against threats from China and North Korea.

Japan plans to deploy upgraded Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles on Kyushu by March 2026, with a range of 1,000 kilometers capable of reaching targets in China and North Korea.
The deployment is part of Japan's broader military buildup to enhance its 'counterstrike capabilities' in response to regional security threats.
Local residents in Kyushu have expressed concerns about becoming potential targets, while the Ryukyu Islands are unlikely to host missiles to avoid escalating tensions with China.
China has criticized the missile plans as a breach of Japan's pacifist constitution and an act of military expansion, warning of regional instability.
The plans come amid ongoing scrutiny of the U.S.-Japan security treaty, with questions about the treaty's reciprocity and the U.S. commitment to defending Japan.