Japan's Ministry of Defense to Deploy 1000km Range Long-Range Missiles by 2028

Operational Range Covers Entire Korean Peninsula and Parts of China... Opposition Expected
Emphasizes "Need to Strengthen Deterrence" Amid Controversy Over Violation of Principle of Total Defense

[Image source=Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force website]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Japanese Ministry of Defense is reportedly planning to develop and deploy long-range missiles with a range of over 1000 km by 2028, sparking domestic and international controversy. If Japan secures long-range missiles, it would possess the capability to strike bases in neighboring countries, which contradicts the principle of "exclusive defense" (counterattack only when attacked by another country) stipulated in its pacifist constitution. However, the Japanese government argues that this measure is intended to strengthen deterrence against China and North Korea and to align with the U.S. policy of containing China, raising expectations of intensified diplomatic friction with China and other neighboring countries.

On the 2nd, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported, citing a Japanese Ministry of Defense official, that "by 2025, the range of the Type 12 surface-to-ship guided missile (SSM), which previously had a range of around 200 km, will be extended to over 1000 km, with test launches completed." The plan is to complete deployment not only on land but also on ships and fighter jets by 2028. Nikkei estimated the development and deployment costs to be around 100 billion yen (approximately 1.0446 trillion KRW).

Considering the straight-line distance from Seoul to Tokyo is about 1165 km, if Japan’s missile range extends to 1000 km, most of the Korean Peninsula would fall within the operational radius of Japanese missiles. If these missiles are deployed at missile bases in southern Okinawa, not only Taiwan but also parts of China would be within range, which is expected to provoke backlash from China and other neighboring countries.

There is controversy within Japan as well, with concerns that extending missile range violates the exclusive defense principle, but the Japanese government is reportedly determined to proceed. On the 27th of last month, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized at a review ceremony held at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force base in Nerima Ward, Tokyo, that "all options, including possessing the capability to strike enemy bases, will be considered without exclusion to strengthen necessary defense capabilities."

According to NHK, since the South Korea-U.S. missile guidelines, which limited South Korea’s missile range to within 800 km, were lifted on May 22 after 42 years, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has increasingly emphasized the need to extend missile range. A senior official from the Japanese Ministry of Defense told Nikkei in an interview, "As neighboring countries continue missile development, Japan also needs weapons to strengthen deterrence," adding, "We are developing these as a means to retaliate against ships attacking Japan and to recapture island areas that could be occupied," stressing that this does not violate the exclusive defense principle.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.