The Japanese government has begun importing foreign-made long-range missiles capable of striking enemy bases. Since its defeat in the war, Japan has adhered to the principle of "exclusive self-defense," excluding offensive action and focusing solely on defense. But it scrapped this principle for the first time in 77 years when it approved revisions to three key security documents in 2022.
On the 14th, Kyodo News reported that Japan's Ministry of Defense began bringing in U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles on the 13th to be mounted on Maritime Self-Defense Force Aegis destroyers. On the same day, the ministry also brought in Norway's JSM cruise missiles to be mounted on F-35A fighter jets.
Shinjiro Koizumi, the defense minister, said, "We will make the other side recognize that even if it tries to invade Japan, it will be certainly blocked, thereby deterring an armed attack itself."
In addition, the Japanese government plans to deploy domestically produced long-range missiles later this month in Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu and Shizuoka Prefecture in central Honshu. Through this, it intends to gradually expand its counterstrike capability.
The missiles to be deployed in Kumamoto Prefecture are a modified model of the Type 12 surface-to-ship guided missile, a ground-launched anti-ship missile system, with a range of about 1,000 km. If launched from Kyushu, they can reach China's coastal areas and North Korea.
Shizuoka Prefecture is set to host "high-speed gliding munitions for island defense." The range is several hundred kilometers, and they will be operated by the Fuji Garrison training unit.
However, some regions are voicing opposition to the central government's deployment of these missiles, saying they are being stationed without consultation with local authorities.
Regarding this, Joint Staff Chief Hiroaki Uchikura said at a press conference the day before, "We will politely explain to local residents regarding the introduction and deployment (of the missiles)." The Joint Staff Chief is equivalent to Korea's chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
Koizumi also said in the Diet regarding long-range missiles, "We understand the importance of residents' understanding," but added that they are "necessary equipment in a severe security environment."