In a region increasingly marked by geopolitical tensions, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces will conduct long-range anti-ship missile launch exercises on domestic territory—a decision seen as a clear signal to China and Russia, whose naval vessels continue to operate near the Japanese archipelago.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Defense, the annual surface-to-ship missile live-fire training will take place from June 19 to 30 on the southern coast of Hokkaido, the country’s northernmost island. This marks the first time such exercises with the domestically produced Type 88 missile, capable of striking targets over 100 kilometers away, will be conducted on Japanese soil.
The selected testing area lies northeast of the strategically important Tsugaru Strait, which links the Sea of Japan to the Pacific Ocean and separates the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu. This corridor has gained prominence in recent years due to increasing traffic by Chinese and Russian vessels, which benefit from the strait’s classification as “international waters,” as recognized by Tokyo.
Until now, due to space limitations and safety concerns, such training exercises were conducted in the United States or other overseas territories. The decision to conduct launches within a 40-kilometer range in designated Japanese waters reflects a shift in Japan’s defensive posture in response to foreign naval activities near its borders.
The move is part of a broader deterrence strategy within the so-called First Island Chain, a geostrategic barrier made up of Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines, considered crucial in countering Chinese and Russian maritime expansion into the western Pacific.
Japan’s 2024 Defense White Paper warns that “China is further deepening its cooperation with Russia, including military activities, conducting joint bomber flights and naval patrols near Japan.” The document states that such joint maneuvers constitute “a show of force that poses a serious concern for national security.”
For its part, China’s Ministry of Defense has accused Japan of “constantly monitoring and interfering” with its armed forces, claiming such actions endanger the maritime and air safety of Chinese units. Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Ministry stated that full political cooperation with Japan would only be possible if Tokyo abandons its “hostile policy,” which would require concrete steps in that direction.
The uptick in military activity in the region has prompted Japan to bolster its response capabilities. In addition to upgrading its Type 12 missile, Tokyo has also acquired two U.S.-made missile systems with naval strike capabilities—signaling a clear shift toward a more robust and proactive defense doctrine.
While it remains to be seen whether Japan will continue such exercises on its own soil, the upcoming training sends a strong message to its neighbors: the island nation is determined to reinforce its defensive stance against any threats in its immediate maritime surroundings.
*Images used for illustrative purposes
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