Launchers for the first batch of Japan’s Type 12 surface-to-ship long-range missiles have arrived at an army camp in the country’s southwest, signaling preparations for deployment.
The domestically developed and upgraded Type 12 missiles are set for deployment at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture on the southwestern island of Kyushu by the end of March, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara was quoted as saying by AP News.
Kyushu faces the East China Sea to the west and the Korean Peninsula to the northwest, strengthening Tokyo’s stand-off defense capabilities against land targets and warships.
However, local residents and officials criticized the lack of transparency, saying that the prefecture “has never been notified” and only learned about the development through media reports.
Protesters outside the camp also cited how the missiles’ presence in their area could make them a potential target in case of conflict between Japan and China over Taiwan, which Beijing claims is part of its territory and has threatened to use force in its annexation.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on self-ruled Taiwan, sparking a diplomatic feud.
In February, Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated the government’s plans to deploy surface-to-air missiles at Yonaguni Island — farther on the country’s southwest and located roughly 110 kilometers (68 miles) east of Taiwan — by March 2031.
Upgraded Type 12 Missile
Manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the Type 12 missile features a range of around 200 kilometers (125 miles).
It underwent a series of upgrades starting in 2022, including extending its range to around 1,000 kilometers (620 miles).
The Type 12 is mounted on an eight-wheeled truck launcher, with each vehicle carrying six missiles weighing about 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds).
After Camp Kengun, the upgraded Type 12 missiles are scheduled for deployment at Camp Fuji in Shizuoka, in Tokyo’s west, in late 2026.
