Japan is considering the deployment of long-range missiles on Kyushu Island as part of its efforts to enhance “counterstrike capabilities” to target enemy positions in the event of an emergency, according to government sources. The deployment is expected to begin at the end of the next fiscal year, in March 2026, with the aim of strengthening the security of Japan’s southwestern Nansei island chain, a region of strategic significance due to its proximity to Taiwan. This move comes amid growing concerns over the possibility of a Chinese invasion of the self-governed island, which Beijing considers a renegade province.
According to Kyodo News, authorities are currently assessing potential deployment locations, with the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) planning to deploy the missiles at regiments stationed in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, and the city of Kumamoto. The decision has sparked concerns among local residents, who fear the risk of being targeted by enemy forces.
The missiles under consideration are an upgraded version of the GSDF’s Type-12 land-to-ship guided missile, which boasts an extended range of 1,000 kilometers. This upgrade would allow Japan to place North Korea and coastal regions of China within striking distance.
While Okinawa, a southern island prefecture closer to China, has been considered for deployment, it is unlikely to be chosen due to concerns that such a move could escalate tensions with Beijing.