Japan expands missile capabilities amid China tensions, Trump administration uncertainty
On Okinawa's hilltops, Japan's new missile regiment is making its presence known. The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's Seventh Regiment has deployed mobile anti-ship missiles in full view of both regional adversaries and American allies. This strategic visibility is part of a broader military buildup aimed at countering China's naval expansion near Japanese waters.
The regiment, established a year ago, is one of two new missile units stationed along Japan's southwestern islands. Their Type-12 ship-killing missiles, mounted on mobile trucks, are positioned to both deter aggression and signal Japan's growing capabilities.
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Colonel Yohei Ito, commander of the Seventh Regiment, said the armament is intended to act as a deterrent. While directed at Beijing's increasingly assertive navy, the display also serves as a message to the United States, particularly amid uncertainty surrounding the foreign policy direction of President Donald Trump.
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Japan aims to bolster US alliance through
military modernization
Japan's government views its defense buildup as essential to strengthening the
US-Japan alliance
. Tokyo is negotiating a tariff-lifting agreement with Washington while emphasizing its role as a reliable security partner. During recent talks in Washington, Japanese trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa held discussions with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The strategy includes acquiring US-made systems such as the F-35B stealth fighter and Tomahawk cruise missiles. These weapons mark a significant shift, giving Japan the capacity to strike targets beyond its borders for the first time since World War II. Japan is also investing in its domestic defense industry, showcasing new technologies such as
hypersonic missiles
and drone-interception lasers at recent defense expos.
Nobukatsu Kanehara, a former deputy head of Japan's national security policy, said enhancing Japan's conventional military power is a key method to ensure continued American support.
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Japan seeks greater integration with US command structure
To further integrate with the US military, Japan plans to establish a new 'war-fighting headquarters' in Tokyo. During a spring visit, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth endorsed the idea, highlighting the benefits of side-by-side command coordination between American and Japanese forces.
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani stressed that the country faces its most challenging security environment since World War II. This includes threats from China and North Korea, both of which continue to expand their missile and nuclear capabilities.
Japanese policymakers are urging the United States to reaffirm its extended deterrence, including the possible visible deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in the region. Koichi Isobe, a retired lieutenant general, noted that nuclear deterrence remains central to Japan's defense posture.
Japan broadens security partnerships beyond the United States
While Tokyo continues to prioritize its alliance with the US, it is also diversifying security ties. Japan is developing a next-generation fighter aircraft in collaboration with Britain and Italy. In the Indo-Pacific, Japan has deepened cooperation with Australia, offering advanced frigates and participating in joint military exercises in the Philippines.
These moves reflect Japan's effort to hedge against possible shifts in US foreign policy, particularly under isolationist or unpredictable leadership. Experts warn that a strategic deal between the US and China could alter the power balance in Asia, potentially sidelining Japan.
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Satoru Mori, a professor at Keio University in an interview with The New York Times emphasized the importance of convincing American leaders that Japan is a vital strategic ally. Although Japan has long abstained from nuclear weapons, it holds significant quantities of plutonium from its civilian energy program, which could support a nuclear deterrent if security guarantees erode.
For now, Japan's approach remains focused on reinforcing its military capabilities and deepening cooperation with the United States.
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