Japan Deploys Type 12 Surface to Ship Missile in Strategic Response to Chinese Maritime Pressure.

According to information published by The Asahi Shimbun on July 29, 2025, the Japanese Ministry of Defense is finalizing a strategic plan to deploy long-range anti-ship missiles at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture. This move, scheduled for completion within the current fiscal year, is intended to strengthen Japan's deterrence posture in response to increased Chinese military activity near the Nansei Islands. The deployment marks a notable development in Japan's standoff missile capability, enabling the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) to engage maritime targets at ranges that remain outside adversary reach.
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The enhanced Type 12 incorporates several technical improvements in range, guidance, and low observability (Picture source: Telegram Channel @軍事日本 )

The missile system to be deployed is the upgraded Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, developed domestically and now offering a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers, compared to about 200 kilometers in the original version. This range extension allows Japan to cover coastal areas of China, aligning with its revised defense policy based on proactive deterrence. The upgraded system is vehicle-mounted for mobility and rapid operational deployment, contributing to Japan’s capacity to address regional threats in a flexible manner.

The enhanced Type 12 incorporates several technical improvements in range, guidance, and low observability. It combines inertial navigation with GPS and a Ka-band AESA radar for terminal homing, enabling precise target identification and tracking of moving naval assets. The missile is also equipped with an Up to Date Command (UDTC) feature, allowing it to receive targeting updates via satellite communication mid-flight. Its airframe has been redesigned with extended wings and control surfaces to improve aerodynamic performance and stability, while its overall shape has been altered to lower radar visibility.

The missile’s range has been progressively extended, with the current version reaching 900 kilometers and a target range of 1,200 kilometers in development. It is designed for modular deployment across land, sea, and air platforms, in order to reduce acquisition costs and ensure inter-service interoperability. The land-based version is mounted on mobile vehicles, which supports high survivability and operational flexibility, particularly in archipelagic and coastal environments where mobility and dispersion are key for standoff defense.

Camp Kengun in Kumamoto will be the first site for this deployment, with additional deployments planned for GSDF Camp Yufuin in Oita Prefecture in future fiscal years. Vice Camp Katsuren in Okinawa Prefecture is also being considered, which would position the system closer to key areas of interest in the East China Sea. Mass production of the improved missile began in fiscal year 2023, and test launches have been completed successfully, including a recent trial from Niijima Island, south of Tokyo.

The decision to field long-range standoff missiles follows Japan’s 2022 revision of its national security strategy documents, which introduced a shift from a solely reactive defense posture to one that includes limited long-range capabilities intended for deterrence. However, this policy evolution has generated internal debate. Some critics argue that deploying these systems increases the likelihood that Japanese bases could become targets in a conflict. Others raise legal concerns about the compatibility of standoff strike systems with Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, which limits the use of force strictly to self-defense.

Despite these concerns, the Japanese government asserts that the deployment remains in line with its exclusively defense-oriented security policy. As tensions continue in the region, the rollout of the extended-range Type 12 missile system is viewed as part of a broader effort to reinforce Japan’s ability to secure its remote territories and maritime domains. In summary, Japan will deploy the improved Type 12 surface-to-ship missile in Kumamoto by the end of the fiscal year, with additional placements planned for Oita and Okinawa. The system’s long-range provides coverage of critical maritime zones, while the deployment raises strategic and legal debates about its long-term implications.