US boosts Japan presence with advanced missile systems deployment

The United States military is set to deploy its Typhon midrange missile launcher and HIMARS rocket system to southwestern Japan next month for joint exercises with the Self-Defence Forces, South China Morning Post reports.

The systems are expected to be stationed at the Maritime Self-Defence Force’s Kanoya Airbase in Kagoshima prefecture during the Valiant Shield and Orient Shield exercises, scheduled between June and September, the sources said.

The Typhon launcher is capable of firing Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of about 1,600km (994 miles), as well as SM-6 interceptor missiles with a range exceeding 300km.

The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, can carry up to six rockets or one Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which has a range of about 300km.

After the exercises conclude, both systems will reportedly be transferred to a US military base in Japan for storage. According to Japan’s Defence Ministry, no live-fire drills are planned.

The Typhon system was deployed in Japan for the first time last September during large-scale bilateral exercises at the US Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi prefecture, an event that drew criticism from China and Russia.

Beijing has already condemned similar deployments in the past. Chinese officials recently criticised what they described as Japan’s first overseas missile-related deployment in 80 years.

In a joint statement following a summit between Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and President Donald Trump in Washington in March, the two allies reaffirmed their commitment to deploying “advanced capabilities” in Japan to strengthen their defence posture.

The previous deployment at Iwakuni also sparked local opposition after the system remained longer than initially expected. A local civic group submitted a request to Japan’s Defence Ministry demanding its immediate removal, and the system was subsequently withdrawn in November last year.

By Vafa Guliyeva