Japan will begin deploying extended-range missiles in March 2026, marking a major step in the country’s plan to operationalize its counterstrike capabilities. The move is one of the clearest manifestations of Tokyo’s evolving defense strategy amid growing regional tensions.
Japan’s Defense Ministry announced that the ground-launched Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) will be deployed to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s (JGSDF) Camp Fuji in central Japan on March 31.
The same day will also see the first operational deployment of an upgraded Type 12 surface-to-ship missile at the JGSDF’s Camp Kengun in Kumamoto prefecture.
The deployments signal the start of Japan’s effort to field domestically developed long-range strike capabilities. Along with planned acquisitions of other standoff weapons, the systems will be central to deterring adversaries by holding key military targets at risk from greater distances.
The regional security environment has changed dramatically in recent years. North Korea continues to advance its illicit nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs, while China has rapidly expanded its military capabilities and intensified activities around the East China Sea and Western Pacific.
In response, Japan revised its key national security policies in December 2022, introducing the concept of counterstrike capabilities — the ability to strike enemy missile launch sites or other military targets if Japan is attacked.
The HVGP being deployed to Camp Fuji is designed primarily to defend Japan’s remote islands, an increasingly important mission as tensions rise in the East China Sea. In particular, China has intensified its activities around the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands.
Unlike conventional ballistic missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles can travel unpredictable trajectories at more than 6,000 kilometers per hour, making them more difficult for missile defense systems to intercept.
The Defense Ministry plans to expand the HVGP’s deployment in fiscal year 2026 to Camp Kamifurano in Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, and Camp Ebino in Miyazaki prefecture. An advanced version of the system with a range of about 2,000 kilometers is being developed.
The upgraded Type 12 has a range of about 1,000 kilometers compared to 200 kilometers for the original model. Although initially designed to target hostile ships approaching Japan, the upgraded missile is expected to be capable of striking land-based targets such as missile launch facilities.
From Camp Kengun, the missile’s range would extend across much of East Asia, potentially including large portions of North Korea and parts of China’s east coast. The missile would enable ground forces to target adversary launch sites or other military infrastructure from beyond the reach of many enemy weapons.
The Defense Ministry accelerated the deployment by about a year, citing the need to strengthen deterrence amid growing security challenges.
Japan also plans to acquire or develop eight types of long-range missiles, including United States-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, which the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will deploy on modified Aegis destroyers.