Defence Japan to deploy long-range missiles on Kyushu

Japan is set to station long-range missiles on Kyushu, its southernmost main island, in response to concerns over regional tensions and uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration's commitment to security agreements. With an estimated range of 1,000 kilometres, these missiles would be capable of striking targets in North Korea and along China's coastline.

Scheduled for deployment next year at two existing missile garrisons, they are intended to strengthen defences around the strategically vital Okinawa island chain and form part of Japan's broader development of "counterstrike capabilities" in the event of an attack, according to reports from Kyodo News citing government sources. However, placing these long-range missiles directly on the Okinawa islands, which extend to within 110 kilometres of Taiwan, is unlikely, as Japan seeks to avoid provoking China. At present, the region is already equipped with missile batteries of shorter range.

"As the threat from China and North Korea has been mounting, it is natural for Japan to counter this with more effective weapons systems," said Yoichi Shimada, professor emeritus at Fukui Prefectural University. "I think Japan should rapidly deploy longer-range missiles to develop more robust security." [...] Shimada believes that "proactive measures" such as boosting its missile systems will strengthen US-Japan ties and that "demands from the Trump administration for reciprocal defence arrangements with Japan are not so unreasonable". [...] "It is clear to anyone observing this that the US-Japan alliance is in bad shape," said Dujarric. "Even if China attacked Japan, there is no guarantee that the US under Trump would do anything. That is a big problem."

Click to expand...

Mr Kim isn't too thrilled about Japan's planned missile deployment. While he's sending his projectiles all over the archipelago, Japan better not defend herself!

North Korea issued a warning to Japan regarding the planned deployment of long-range missiles in the Kyushu region in March 2026, stating that such military capabilities would lead to a "constant escalation of tension" in Northeast Asia, according to state-run KCNA on Thursday. Earlier this month, Japan's Kyodo News, citing government sources, reported that Tokyo was considering stationing long-range missiles in Kyushu as part of its efforts to develop "counterstrike capabilities" to target enemy positions in a crisis.

Pyongyang accused Japan of continuing a past history of aggression through moves such as a constant strengthening of the Japan-U.S. military alliance and collusion with NATO forces, KCNA said, citing the policy section chief of the Institute for Japan Studies under North Korea's Foreign Ministry.
"All military means and various forms of movement directly targeting the DPRK... are an object to be wiped out," the KCNA report said, using the abbreviation of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Click to expand...

North Korea warns Japan against deploying long-range missiles in Kyushu, KCNA says

our fleet of subs are already with in attacking area. the ocean in the area is shallow so they are further away
china has sensors on the floor , if they can be denudated the US subs can be in trouble

In the light of the recent, increased destabilisation of geopolitics by His Grand Orangeness and his henchmen, I think this is a prudent, if sad, move. There are three (and one would-be) global bullies and the old cliche that one needs to stand up to such people, is very true.

Here in Europe, we have been forced into the realisation that we cannot rely upon once solid allies and looking into our 'chest of goodies' we can only find pea shooters, sticks and stones and now we're scrambling around, with our neighbours, and regretting splitting from them!

One thing that is important, however is to regularly remind oneself that it is these nation's governments and not necessarily the country's citizens who are the bullies.

If what i know is true, the the seventh fleet of the US navy is stationed in Japan. China shouldn't dare start naval warfare with Japan, seeing as while Americas fleet isn't quite as big, our warships are much bigger, with far more firepower. Needless to say, that should deter them a little bit.