World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Japan uses long-range missile launcher in US-Japan drill
Japan used a Type-25 missile launcher in a simulated drill on Oct 25, the first time it had done so.
The drill took place at the Onohara Maneuver Area in south-western Japan during the Keen Sword exercise with the United States.
The domestically made missile has a range of about 1,000km, putting some coastal areas of mainland China within reach.
Japan deployed the missiles in Kumamoto Prefecture in March, after deciding to acquire weapons capable of striking back against an enemy.
That decision marked a shift from Japan’s exclusively defence-oriented policy, which is based on its war-renouncing Constitution.
The government says Japan could fire such missiles if it judged an enemy had begun an attack, even before Japan suffered damage, but critics warn a misjudgment could lead to a prohibited pre-emptive strike.
Keen Sword involves about 45,000 Japanese troops and 12,000 US troops, along with seven other countries, and is scheduled to run until Oct 29.
Japan used a launcher for its long-range Type-25 missile in a simulated drill for the first time on Oct 25.
The drill took place during the joint Keen Sword exercise with the United States.
The vehicle-mounted missile has an approximate range of 1,000km and is viewed as a counterstrike weapon.
Japan deployed the missiles at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture in March.
The exercise involves about 45,000 Japanese Self-Defence Forces members and 12,000 US troops, with seven other countries also participating.
- Who
- Japan’s Defence Ministry and Self-Defence Forces members, in a joint exercise with US troops.
- What
- Japan used a launcher for its long-range Type-25 surface-to-ship guided missile in a simulated drill for the first time.
- When
- Oct 25, 2026.
- Where
- Onohara Maneuver Area, between Nagasaki and Saga prefectures, Japan.
- Why
- The drill was part of the Keen Sword exercise. The missile is viewed as a counterstrike weapon.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Type-25 missiles were deployed at Ground Self-Defence Force’s Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture.
The Keen Sword exercise began.
Japan used the Type-25 launcher in a simulated drill for the first time.
The Keen Sword exercise is scheduled to end.
- Missile
- Type-25 surface-to-ship guided missile
- Approximate range
- 1,000km
- Drill location
- Onohara Maneuver Area, between Nagasaki and Saga prefectures
- Japanese participants
- Around 45,000 Self-Defence Forces members
- US participants
- Around 12,000 troops