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A *Newsweek* map illustrates Japan’s planned deployment of new long-range missiles to deter and defend against potential attacks from its main adversaries, China and North Korea. This deployment is part of Japan’s efforts to strengthen its standoff defense capabilities—the ability to engage and defeat an enemy from a significant distance.
The Defense Ministry in Tokyo previously told *Newsweek* that such capabilities are intended to target naval and landing forces attempting to invade the country. *Newsweek* has reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry for comment, but as of yet, there is no response from North Korea’s Embassy in Beijing.
The Type 12 anti-ship missile has improved capabilities and a range of 620 miles. The ground-launched variant will be deployed at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu’s southernmost main island, beginning in fiscal years 2025 and 2026. A training unit based at Camp Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture on Honshu—Japan’s largest main island—will be equipped with the same variant of the upgraded Type 12 missile in fiscal year 2027.
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The Japanese destroyer JS *Teruzuki*, homeported at Yokosuka Naval Base, will be modified to carry these missiles. Additionally, F-2 fighter aircraft based at Hyakuri Air Base will also be equipped with them.
Japan’s Defense Ministry announced that it will bring forward the deployment of both the ship-launched variant and the air-launched variant of the upgraded Type 12 missile, moving the timeline from fiscal year 2028 or later to fiscal year 2027. This coincides with Washington’s warning that Beijing aims to be capable of invading Taiwan by this time.
The second planned deployment is the Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP), a ballistic missile designed for island defense. Armed with a hypersonic vehicle, it can travel at more than five times the speed of sound and maneuver in flight. Japan’s Defense Ministry said the HVGP will be deployed at three sites: Camp Fuji for training, and two more operational units will be formed for deployment in fiscal year 2026. One will be based at Camp Kamifurano on Hokkaido, and the other at Camp Ebino in Miyazaki Prefecture.
According to *Naval News*, Japan plans to develop three HVGP variants: Block 1 (560 miles), Block 2A (1,240 miles), and Block 2B (1,860 miles). In addition to targeting enemy bases, the HVGP could potentially strike warships like aircraft carriers in the future.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted that Japan’s military moves are closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community due to its history of militarist aggression during World War II.
Japan’s Defense Ministry stated that the upgraded Type 12 missile will conduct a second test launch in October, while the HVGP completed its final test launch in the summer.
