Japan Deploys First Long-Range 'Counterstrike' Missiles, Marking Historic Defense Shift

Japan has initiated a historic shift in its defense posture, deploying its first domestically produced long-range missiles to military bases. This move marks the operational start of what Tokyo terms a 'counterstrike capability,' a fundamental departure from the nation's traditionally defensive military doctrine. The deployment includes new hyper velocity gliding projectiles, representing a significant technological leap in Japan's indigenous arsenal.

The specific systems deployed are the Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, upgraded for a strike range exceeding 1,000 kilometers, and the Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP). These were positioned at bases in the southwestern and northern regions of the country. This action directly implements the new National Security Strategy adopted in late 2022, which explicitly authorized Japan to possess capabilities for striking enemy bases in response to an imminent attack.

This deployment concretizes Japan's strategic pivot and is set to alter the regional military balance. It provides the Self-Defense Forces with a tangible, long-range stand-off strike option for the first time in the post-war era. The move will inevitably intensify scrutiny and likely draw diplomatic reactions from neighboring countries, as it redefines Japan's role and capabilities within the East Asian security architecture.