Japan Plans to Deploy Long-Range Missiles to Acquire Counterstrike CapabilitiesTokyo, 16 Mar (ONA) — Japan is considering deploying long-range
missiles on the southwestern island of Kyushu as part of the
country’s efforts to acquire “counterstrike capabilities” to hit
enemy targets in the event of an emergency, Japan’s news agency
(Kyodo) reported, citing government sources.

The deployment, expected to commence at the end of the next
fiscal year in March 2026, is aimed at bolstering the security of the
country’s southwestern Nansei island chain.

Authorities are assessing possible deployment sites, with local
residents concerned they could be targeted in enemy attacks, the
sources said.

The missiles may be deployed at the Ground-Self Defense Force’s
(GSDF) surface-to-ship missile regiment garrisons in Yufu in Oita
Prefecture and the city of Kumamoto.

On the other hand, the southern island prefecture of Okinawa,
which lies closer to mainland China, is unlikely to be a deployment
site amid concern it could heighten tensions with Beijing.

The missiles to be deployed are an upgraded version of the
Japanese GSDF’s Type-12 land-to-ship guided missile, with an extended
range of 1,000 km. — Ends/Khalid