From "Defense" to "Attack"? Japan's Defense White Paper Exposes Ambitions
Not long ago, Japan released the 2026 edition of the "Defense White Paper," which mentioned the necessity of having the capability to effectively retaliate against adversaries through a missile defense network. Media outlets such as Kyodo News often use the more straightforward term "capability to attack enemy bases."
The new white paper candidly states that to enhance its counterattack capability, Japan will acquire foreign-made standoff missiles as soon as possible while accelerating the production and deployment of domestically produced standoff missiles.
For example, Japan's self-developed "Type 25 Ground-Based Anti-Ship Missile" was deployed to the Kengun garrison in Kumamoto Prefecture in March of this year. The "Type 25 High-Speed Glide Bomb," developed based on it, has also been deployed to the Fuji garrison in Shizuoka Prefecture, with plans to deploy it to the Kamifurano garrison in Hokkaido and the Ebino garrison in Miyazaki Prefecture by March next year. This marks Japan's first deployment of weapons with long-range ground strike potential since World War II.
The "Type 25 Ground-Based Anti-Ship Missile" is a land-based variant of the "Type 12 Anti-Ship Missile." According to Japanese media estimates, its initial range is about 1,000 kilometers, with plans to increase it to 1,500 kilometers while also improving strike accuracy.
The "Type 12 Anti-Ship Missile" also has a ship-launched variant, which is planned to complete development in the fiscal year 2026 and will be deployed on the destroyer Shiratsuyu. Its air-launched variant is scheduled for completion in the fiscal year 2027 and will be deployed on the modified F-2 fighter jets of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
The new "Defense White Paper" also mentions that early production of hypersonic missiles will begin in 2026. The hypersonic missile being developed by Japan is a scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missile, adopting a "develop while early producing" model to shorten the induction cycle. However, by 2025, only ground tests of the scramjet engine and related basic technology validations will be completed, and full missile live flight tests have not yet been conducted.
Meanwhile, Japan is also accelerating the introduction of U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles and Norwegian-made Joint Strike Missiles.
To acquire the target detection and tracking capabilities necessary for standoff missile operations, Japan will start satellite constellation construction work in March 2026, launching small satellites in phases, with plans to officially put the satellite constellation into use by March 2028.
Japan is enhancing its missile defense and strike capabilities as outlined in the 2026 Defense White Paper. The Japan Self-Defense Forces are acquiring foreign long-range missiles and deploying domestically developed systems, including the Type 25 Ground-based Anti-Ship Missile. Additionally, Japan plans to initiate early production of hypersonic missiles and establish a satellite constellation for improved target tracking by 2028.
- Japan's 2026 Defense White Paper emphasizes the need for effective counter-strike capabilities against adversaries.
- Japan is acquiring foreign-made long-range missiles and accelerating domestic missile production.
- The Type 25 Ground-based Anti-Ship Missile has been deployed in Kumamoto.
- Japan plans to start early production of hypersonic missiles in 2026.
- Japan is building a satellite constellation for target detection and tracking by 2028.