Equipment was transported to the province in the southwest of the country; can hit targets located in Shanghai
Japan deployed its 1st package of long-range missiles on Tuesday (March 31, 2026) in a barracks in Kumamoto Prefecture, in the southwest of the country. The province faces the East China Sea, which separates the country from China.
The missiles are a modernized version of the Type-12 model and can travel a distance of 1,000 km, making them capable of reaching the city of Shanghai, China’s economic center.
The equipment was developed and produced by the Japanese Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. According to Japan’s Defense Minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, the installation marks an advance in the country’s defense system, which, in his words, “faces the most severe and complex post-war security environment”.
“It is extremely important to strengthen Japan’s deterrence and response capabilities”said the minister. “This demonstrates Japan’s firm determination and ability to defend itself”.
In addition to the missiles deployed in Kumamoto, Japan has also installed a weapons system designed for island defense in Shizuoka Prefecture, west of Tokyo.
Kumamoto Prefecture, where the missiles were positioned, faces China’s east coast
The Japanese moves come at a time of tension with China. Diplomatic relations between the countries have been practically cut off since November 2025, after the Japanese Prime Minister, (Liberal Democratic Party, right), in a confrontation against China.
This Wednesday (1st April), the spokesperson for Mao Ning, was asked by journalists about the Japanese announcement. Said Japanese missiles “far exceed the scope of self-defense” and that the installation should be a concern for the entire global community, as it violates international agreements signed by Japan.
“This reflects, once again, that right-wing forces in Japan are pushing security policy in an offensive and expansionist direction, and that Japan’s ‘new type of militarism’ threatens regional peace and stability. The international community must be extremely vigilant”declared the spokeswoman.
