Latest news with #JapanMilitary
South China Morning Post
25-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Japan test-fires missile from home soil for first time amid military build-up
Japan 's military has test-fired a missile on Japanese territory for the first time, as the country accelerates its military build-up to deter China. The Type 88 surface-to-ship, short-range missile was tested at the Shizunai Anti-Air Firing Range on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Tuesday. The Ground Self-Defence Force's 1st Artillery Brigade used a training missile to target a boat with no crew about 40km (24 miles) off the island's southern coast. Due to space limitations and safety concerns, Japan conducted past missile tests in the United States , a treaty ally, and Australia , a top Japanese defence partner where vast training grounds are available. The military said the test was successful. It plans other tests through Sunday. Dozens of protesters stood outside a neighbouring army camp, saying missile tests only escalate tension in Asia and the risks for Japan Japan being involved in possible conflicts. Japanese soldiers deploy Type-88 surface-to-ship short-range missiles as part of joint military drills with the US last year. Photo: Kyodo / AP Tuesday's first domestic missile test highlights Japan's push towards becoming a more self-sufficient military and its acquisition of strike-back capabilities as a deterrent to China's increasingly assertive naval activity in regional seas.
National Post
25-06-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Japan conducts first missile test on its own territory as part of deterrent against Chinese aggression
TOKYO — Japan's military test-fired a missile on Japanese territory for the first time Tuesday, as the country accelerates its military buildup to deter China. Article content The Type 88 surface-to-ship, short-range missile was tested at the Shizunai Anti-Air Firing Range on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido. The Ground Self-Defense Force's 1st Artillery Brigade used a training missile to target a boat with no crew about 40 kilometers (24 miles) off the island's southern coast. Article content Article content Article content Due to space limitations and safety concerns, Japan conducted past missile tests in the United States, a treaty ally, and Australia, a top Japanese defense partner where vast training grounds are available. Article content Article content Dozens of protesters stood outside a neighboring army camp, saying missile tests only escalates tension in Asia and risks for Japan to be involved in possible conflicts. Article content Tuesday's first domestic missile test underscores Japan's push toward a more self-sufficient military and its acquisition of strike-back capabilities as a deterrence to China's increasingly assertive naval activity in regional seas. Article content Japan and Russia, a northern neighbor to Hokkaido, have territorial disputes. Article content Japan, under its post-Second World War pacifist constitution, used to limit the use of force for self-defense only, but made a major break from that policy in 2022 when it adopted a five-year security strategy that names China as its biggest strategic challenge and calls for a closer Japan-U.S. alliance. Article content Article content Japan is currently working to deploy long-range cruise missiles, including Tomahawks purchased from the U.S., beginning later this year. Article content Article content Japan is also developing Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles with a range of about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), 10 times that of a Type 88. Article content The truck-mounted Type 88 guided missile, developed by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has a range of about 100 kilometers (62 miles). Article content Japan is also preparing to build a missile-firing range on uninhabited Minamitorishima, the country's easternmost island in the western Pacific, an area where two Chinese aircraft carriers were seen operating together for the first time earlier this month. Article content
ABC News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Japan launches first missile test on home soil as it looks to bolster defence capabilities to deter China
Japan has launched its first missile test on home soil as the country looks to accelerate its military build up to deter China. Japan's army confirmed the test-firing of the Type 88 surface-to-ship, short-range missile on Tuesday at the Shizunai Anti-Air Firing Range on Japan's northern-most main island of Hokkaido. About 300 soldiers participated in Tuesday's exercise by the Ground Self-Defense Force's (GSDF) 1st Artillery Brigade, using a training missile targeting an unmanned boat about 40 off the island's southern coast. Officials were still examining the results of the test, the GSDF said. Due to space limitations and safety concerns, Japan has previously conducted missile tests in countries where vast training grounds are available, including in Australia and the United States. The first domestic missile test underscores Japan's push toward a more self-sufficient military and its acquisition of strike-back capabilities as a deterrence to China's increasingly assertive naval activity in regional seas. Japan is also concerned about growing joint military exercises around Japanese coasts between China and Russia. Japan and Russia, a northern neighbour to Hokkaido, have territorial disputes. Japan, under its pacifist Constitution, used to limit the use of force for self-defence only, but has taken a major break from that policy in 2022 when it adopted the ongoing five-year security strategy that names China as the biggest strategic challenge and calls for a closer Japan-US alliance. Japan is currently working to deploy long-range cruise missiles, including Tomahawks purchased from the US, beginning later this year. Japan is also developing Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles with a range of about 1,000 kilometres, 10 times that of a Type 88. The truck-mounted Type 88 guided missile, developed by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, have a range of about 100 kilometres. Japan is also preparing to build a missile-firing range on uninhabited Minamitorishima, the country's eastern-most island in the western Pacific, an area where two Chinese aircraft carriers were seen operating together for the first time earlier this month. AP/ABC
Washington Post
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Japan conducts its first missile test on its own territory
TOKYO — Japan's army announced Tuesday that it conducted a missile test for the first time on Japanese territory. The test-firing of the Type-88 surface-to-ship short range missile was conducted Tuesday at an army firing range in Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido. Japan is accelerating its military buildup to acquire strike-back capabilities as a deterrence to China.
Associated Press
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Japan conducts its first missile test on its own territory
TOKYO (AP) — Japan's army announced Tuesday that it conducted a missile test for the first time on Japanese territory. The test-firing of the Type-88 surface-to-ship short range missile was conducted Tuesday at an army firing range in Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido. Japan is accelerating its military buildup to acquire strike-back capabilities as a deterrence to China. Japan has previously conducted missile tests overseas, including in the territories of its defense partners such as the United States and Australia.
