Japan conducts first surface-to-ship missile test on its own territory in Hokkaido

Published on 24/06/2025 - 13:39 GMT+2

The Japanese subject announced connected Tuesday that it had conducted a rocket trial for nan first clip connected nan country’s ain territory. 

The Type-88 surface-to-ship short scope missiles were trial fired astatine nan Shizunai Anti-Air Firing Range connected Japan's northernmost land of Hokkaido. 

Around 300 soldiers took portion successful nan workout by nan Ground Self-Defence Force's 1st Artillery Brigade. The soldiers fired astatine an unmanned vessel astir 40 kilometres disconnected of nan coast, authorities said. 

Later this year, Japan intends to deploy long-range cruise missiles, including Tomahawks. 

Previously, Japan has conducted rocket tests overseas, including connected nan territories of defence partners for illustration nan US and Australia. 

The trial was conducted arsenic Japan accelerates its subject build-up to reenforce its strike-back capabilities arsenic a deterrence to China. 

China has accrued its stockpile of medium-range ballistic missiles tin of striking US subject bases successful Japan, according to nan Pentagon. 

North Korea has besides carried retired rocket tests, pinch short-range ballistic missiles being fired into nan Sea of Japan. 

In April, NATO main Mark Rutte and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishibia vowed to further deepen subject ties to tackle what they spot arsenic nan increasing threats from China, North Korea and Russia.