Japan Begins Ammunition Depot Maintenance... "Securing Counterattack Capability"

Next Year: 9 Locations Including Hokkaido

On the 18th, Kyodo News reported that the Japanese government will begin maintenance on ammunition depots at nine Japan Ground Self-Defense Force facilities next year. The reason is to secure a "counterattack capability" that can strike enemy bases.

This maintenance is intended to increase storage for long-range artillery missiles and other weapons to be used when exercising counterattack capabilities, thereby enhancing combat sustainability. The maintenance targets include six ammunition depots in Hokkaido and three in Okinawa Prefecture, totaling nine locations.

However, Kyodo News reported that the Japanese government will not disclose the types or quantities of weapons stored in these ammunition depots. This is interpreted as a precaution because revealing the storage locations of long-range artillery missiles used for counterattacks could make them primary targets.

By 2032, the Japanese government plans to expand approximately 130 ammunition depots. Currently, there are about 1,000 ammunition depots in Japan.

In December last year, Japan declared possession of "counterattack capabilities" by revising three major security documents, including the National Security Strategy. Securing long-range attack weapons such as long-range artillery missiles is part of this effort. In April, Japan signed contracts worth 378 billion yen (approximately 3.7 trillion won) with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for four projects related to the development and mass production of long-range artillery missiles. The U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile will also be introduced and deployed starting in 2026.

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