Japan completes Type 12 surface-to-ship missile deployment to protect strategic straits against Chinese naval expansion.

On March 30, 2025, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) formally completed the activation of the 8th Surface-to-Ship Missile Regiment at Yufuin Garrison in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu. The unit, under the 2nd Artillery Brigade and composed of approximately 300 personnel, operates both Type 88 and Type 12 surface-to-ship missile systems. This marks the final step in the Ministry of Defense’s plan to establish seven such regiments nationwide. The Yufuin-based unit follows previous formations in locations including Katsuren in Okinawa, Kengun in Kumamoto, Hachinohe in Aomori, and multiple sites in Hokkaido.
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The use of long-range missiles such as the Type 12 is permitted under Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution if their use constitutes a necessary and minimal exercise of self-defense in response to an armed attack that threatens Japan’s survival. (Picture source: Twitter/@315th_IGNIB)

The Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile (12SSM), developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, is a truck-launched missile system derived from the older Type 88. It incorporates inertial navigation, GPS guidance, and a Ka-band AESA radar seeker for terminal homing. The system is designed to engage maritime targets from land and features improvements in guidance accuracy, target discrimination, reload time, and survivability. The current version has an approximate range of 200 kilometers, but the Ministry of Defense is advancing development of a long-range variant with an intended range of about 1,000 kilometers. The long-range version is designed for stand-off attack roles, including use against land targets. Deployment is scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2025.

A launch test of the improved Type 12 missile was conducted domestically in October 2024. Images from the test reveal a missile with extended wings and tail control surfaces. Defense officials indicate the aerodynamic surfaces are intended to improve flight distance and attitude control. The extended-range Type 12 variant is also planned for integration into naval and air platforms, under a unified development plan that includes land-based, ship-based, and air-launched versions. The multi-platform approach is expected to reduce procurement and development costs. The full development budget across the three variants is set at approximately 999 billion yen over eight fiscal years.

The current deployment at Yufuin is also linked to a larger effort to increase long-range strike capacity in Japan's southwestern region. The Western Army now hosts three missile regiments—Units 5, 7, and 8—stationed across Kyushu and Okinawa. The 7th Regiment, activated in March 2023, is dispersed across Okinawa Island, Miyakojima, Ishigaki, and Amami Oshima, each equipped with 12SSM systems. These deployments are intended to cover maritime approaches between the islands and serve as a response to increased naval activity in the East China Sea and Western Pacific by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy.

The upgraded 12SSM is also categorized under Japan’s “counterstrike capability” policy. According to the Ministry of Defense, the use of long-range missiles is permitted under Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution if their use constitutes a necessary and minimal exercise of self-defense in response to an armed attack that threatens Japan’s survival. The government maintains that the use of such missiles would only be considered under three specific conditions: an armed attack has occurred, no other means are available to repel it, and the use of force is limited to the minimum necessary.

The Yufuin regiment is currently part of the 2nd Artillery Brigade, which is now Japan’s largest long-range firepower formation as it also received the new Type 19 self-propelled howitzer. Equipment deployed during the March 30 ceremony included nine mobile launchers. The garrison is located near the Hijudai training ground, cited by the JGSDF as suitable for operational readiness and unit training. A large ammunition storage facility is also under construction nearby and is expected to store long-range missile munitions.

A launch test of the improved Type 12 missile was conducted by Japan in 2024. Images from the test reveal a missile with extended wings and tail control surfaces. (Picture source: ATLA)

In addition to the improved Type 12 missile, the Ministry of Defense is developing multiple standoff missile systems, both domestic and imported. These include five domestically developed systems: the improved Type 12, a Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP), a Hypersonic Cruise Missile, a submarine-launched missile, and a new precision missile designed for both anti-ship and land-attack roles. Foreign systems being introduced include up to 400 U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of approximately 1,600 kilometers, the JASSM with a range exceeding 900 kilometers for fighter aircraft, and the Norwegian Joint Strike Missile (JSM), also air-launched, with a range of about 500 kilometers. The improved HVGP is scheduled for deployment in 2026, the submarine-launched missile in 2027, and the hypersonic missile with a range between 2,000 and 3,000 kilometers is planned for completion by 2031. The new anti-ship/land-attack missile began development in fiscal year 2024, with no current target date for completion.

Operations involving these standoff weapons, including the upgraded Type 12, will be coordinated by the newly established Joint Operations Command, which was created on March 24, 2025. This command will oversee real-time targeting operations supported by satellite reconnaissance and aerial surveillance assets. The Ministry of Defense has stated that in cases where targets are located far from Japanese territory, cooperation with the United States will be necessary for intelligence sharing. The U.S. military is in the process of creating a corresponding Joint Forces Headquarters in Japan to serve as a counterpart to the Joint Operations Command. While the Japanese government has stated that Self-Defense Forces will remain under Japanese command, discussions are ongoing regarding the nature of joint operations.

Local reactions to the activation of the Yufuin regiment have included public opposition. On the day of the ceremony, a group of approximately 20 residents and members of local civic organizations held a demonstration near the garrison, citing concerns that the deployment of long-range missiles increases the likelihood that the area may become a target in future conflicts. Protesters submitted a formal statement requesting the disbandment of the unit. Concerns were expressed about the risks of placing strategic military assets in civilian areas and the potential impact on Yufuin’s status as a tourist destination.

Experts in defense policy have commented on the development. Professor Byung-Mo Sato of Takushoku University has stated that extending the range of Japan’s missiles could contribute to deterrence by enabling strikes against adversary launch sites before further attacks can occur. However, he also noted the risk that such deployments could make host areas more likely to be targeted, and emphasized the importance of public transparency in government explanations regarding defense posture and risk assessment.

As of now, the Ministry of Defense has not finalized the locations where the long-range variant of the Type 12 will be deployed. However, officials have stated that consideration is being given to both operational regiments and training units, particularly in the southwest. The Ministry of Defense has stated that the planned deployment of long-range standoff weapons aims to strengthen Japan’s capacity to respond from beyond adversary strike zones, in alignment with updated defense policy guidelines issued in 2022.