Japan fires Type 88 Missile in landmark test as military strategy shifts amid China-Russia concerns

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The test involved the Type 88 surface-to-ship, short-range missile and was conducted at the Shizunai Anti-Air Firing Range, located on the northernmost main island of Hokkaido read more
Japan's army test-fires a Type 88 surface-to-ship short-range missile at the Shizunai Anti-Air Firing Range on Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido in its first missile test on Japanese territory. AP
Japan's military announced on Tuesday that it had carried out a missile test on Japanese soil for the first time, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its defence capabilities amid rising regional tensions.
The test involved the Type 88 surface-to-ship, short-range missile and was conducted at the Shizunai Anti-Air Firing Range, located on the northernmost main island of Hokkaido.
According to officials, approximately 300 personnel from the Ground Self-Defense Force's 1st Artillery Brigade took part in the exercise. The drill involved the use of a training missile aimed at an unmanned boat positioned roughly 40 kilometres (24 miles) off Hokkaido's southern coastline.
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The Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) noted that the evaluation of the test results is still underway.
Due to space limitations and safety concerns, Japan has previously conducted missile tests in the territories of the United States, a treaty ally, and Australia, a top Japanese defense partner where vast training grounds are available.
Tuesday's first domestic missile test underscores Japan's push toward a more self-sufficient military and its acquisition of strike-back capabilities as a deterrence to China's increasingly assertive naval activity in regional seas.
Japan is also concerned about growing joint military exercises around Japanese coasts between China and Russia.
Japan and Russia, a northern neighbour to Hokkaido, have territorial disputes.
Japan, under its pacifist Constitution, used to limit the use of force for self-defense only, but has taken a major break from that policy in 2022 when it adopted the ongoing five-year security strategy that names China as the biggest strategic challenge and calls for a closer Japan-U.S. alliance.
Japan is currently working to deploy long-range cruise missiles, including Tomahawks purchased from the U.S., beginning later this year.
Japan is also developing Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles with a range of about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), 10 times that of a Type 88.
The truck-mounted Type 88 guided missile, developed by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, have a range of about 100 kilometers (62 miles).
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Japan is also preparing to build a missile-firing range on uninhabited Minamitorishima, the country's easternmost island in the western Pacific, an area where two Chinese aircraft carriers were seen operating together for the first time earlier this month.