Japan to boost maritime deterrence with landmark anti-ship missile drills

Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) are planning to conduct their first-ever anti-ship missile drills in Japan, scheduled for the summer of 2025 at the Shizunai training ground in the Hokkaido Prefecture, which is located near Russia.

These will be the first such drills held on Japanese soil, Caliber.Az reports, referring to Japanese media.

The exercises will involve the use of Type 88 anti-ship missiles, which belong to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. While similar drills have previously been conducted by Japanese forces, they were held outside of Japan due to the long range of the missiles, approximately 150 km or more, making it difficult to ensure the safety of air and sea space.

Now, with the firing range limitations in place, the decision has been made to conduct the drills in Japan. The Shizunai range is located on the southern coast of Hokkaido and faces the Pacific Ocean. Special training missiles, which do not carry warheads, will be used for the exercises.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed that such drills are currently being planned but added that the exact location has not yet been determined.

He assured that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure the safety of the local population and provide information to the public. The decision to hold the drills on Japanese territory was explained by the "complex security situation."

The goal of the exercises is to strengthen Japan’s deterrence capabilities in response to China's increasing maritime activity. Additionally, there are discussions regarding the creation of a new missile training range on Minamitorishima Island, part of the Ogasawara Islands in the Pacific Ocean, located 1,800 km from Japan's main islands.