Japan deploys its first long-range missile with "counterattack capability" against enemy bases

On the 31st, Japan’s Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro announced at a press conference that on that day remote missiles with “enemy base attack capability” were deployed in Kumamoto Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture. Japanese media commented that this is Japan’s first deployment of such missiles, marking a change in Japan’s defense policy that follows the principle of “exclusively defensive defense.”

According to Kyodo News, on the 31st, Japan’s Ministry of Defense deployed the “Type 25 land-based anti-ship missile” at the Kenji garrison in Kumamoto Prefecture and the “Type 25 high-speed glide bomb” at the Fuji garrison in Shizuoka Prefecture. The “Type 25 land-based anti-ship missile” was previously known as the “Type 12 improved land-based anti-ship missile.” It has an estimated range of about 1000 kilometers, far exceeding Japan’s territorial range, and has clear offensive attributes. The “Type 25 high-speed glide bomb” was previously known as the “high-speed glide bomb for island defense,” with a range of several hundred kilometers. Japan is currently developing an upgraded version with a range of about 2000 kilometers.

Kyodo News reported that the so-called “enemy base attack capability” means that if Japan determines that the enemy has already begun an attack, Japan can use these weapons to “counterattack” before actual losses occur; however, if the assessment is mistaken, it may become an “attack” action that is prohibited under international law as a preemptive strike. Kyodo News commented that this deployment marks a turning point in Japan’s defense policy that adheres to the principle of “exclusively defensive defense.”

When Japan Yamaguchi University honorary professor Saiba Atsushi (the “honorary professor” title is not shown as “honorary professor”) was interviewed by a reporter from Xinhua, he said that the Japanese government explains “enemy base attack capability” as being intended to enhance deterrence, but in reality it is clearly beyond the level of “self-defense.”

Also according to Kyodo News, on the 31st, residents of Kumamoto Prefecture held protest activities around the Kenji garrison of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in Japan. They held placards with slogans reading “Oppose the deployment” and “No need for missiles,” protesting the deployment of the missiles. (Xinhua)