Japan deploys long-range missile launcher in drills with US

Tokyo (ANTARA) – Japan’s Ministry of Defence used a Type-25 long-range, surface-to-ship guided missile launcher for the first time on Sunday during a simulated joint military exercise with the United States.

The system was used after being deployed to south-western Japan earlier this year.

The Type-25 is a domestically produced missile designed to be launched from a vehicle-mounted launcher. With an estimated range of about 1,000 kilometres, it can reach several coastal areas of mainland China and is regarded as a weapon for carrying out counterstrikes.

At the Onohara Manoeuvre Area, which spans Nagasaki and Saga prefectures, members of Japan’s Self-Defence Forces were seen transporting the launcher to a firing position. It was then positioned facing south-west.

The Keen Sword joint exercise, involving about 45,000 members of Japan’s Self-Defence Forces and around 12,000 US military personnel at locations across Japan, began on 19 October and is due to run until Thursday. Seven other countries, including Australia, are also taking part.

The Type-25 missile was deployed at the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force’s Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture last March.

Japan decided to acquire weapons with counterstrike capabilities, marking a major shift from a policy focused solely on defence under its pacifist constitution, which renounces war. The decision was set out in security documents updated in 2022.

The Japanese government says the country may launch such missiles if it judges that an adversary has begun an attack, even before Japan has suffered any damage or impact from it.

The policy has nevertheless prompted concern that a mistaken assessment could trigger a pre-emptive strike, which is prohibited under international law.