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Source: China National Defense News

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Type 12 anti-ship missile launch system.

According to Japanese media reports, the Japanese Ministry of Defense plans to build a new medium- and long-range missile test range on Minami-Torishima Island, the easternmost island of the country. This move is intended to speed up the development of Japan's domestic medium- and long-range missiles, exposing Japan's intention to develop offensive weapons and enhance its beyond-the-horizon strike capabilities.

Minami-Torishima is located about 1,900 kilometers southeast of Tokyo and is the easternmost island of Japan. The island covers an area of ​​1.2 square kilometers and has a maximum elevation of 9 meters. There are Maritime Self-Defense Force bases, small military airports, and facilities of the Meteorological Agency and the Coast Guard on the island. The missile range is planned to be built on the west side of the Maritime Self-Defense Force base and is expected to start construction in 2026. The range will become Japan's first dedicated facility for launching missiles with a range of more than 100 kilometers. Its main tasks include: receiving, storing and technical preparation of missiles; missile launch; missile flight tracking measurement, hit or miss measurement, and landing area survey and recovery; analysis of test results and evaluation of combat and technical indicators; missile identification and finalization, sampling inspection; training of combat troops, etc.

Previously, due to restrictions imposed by the pacifist constitution, Japan usually tested missiles with a range of more than 100 kilometers in countries such as the United States and Australia. The upgraded version of the Type 12 anti-ship missile currently under development in Japan is expected to have a range of 1,000 kilometers, and relevant tests will be carried out at a new shooting range in the future.

According to the plan, Japan will deploy anti-ship missiles and anti-aircraft missiles on the outlying islands in the southwest, cooperate with long-range radar to monitor sea and air targets, and launch attacks from multiple angles to control important waterways and waters in the region. In recent years, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces have deployed missile units on multiple islands such as Miyako Island, Ishigaki Island and Amami Oshima Island, initially forming a multi-point interweaving, land-air combined missile firepower network. This time, Japan chose to build a missile range on the easternmost Minami Torishima Island, exposing multiple strategic intentions.

First, autonomous testing is used to obtain all data. Missile testing involves not only launches, but also a series of links such as the transportation, reception, storage, and assembly of missiles, which requires a large number of talents and technical reserves. In the future, Japan can conduct relevant tests on its own islands without being restricted by the United States, Australia and other countries, and can conduct in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the test data. Second, normal testing is used to strengthen regional deterrence. Minami-Torishima is far away from the Japanese mainland. Conducting missile tests here can avoid the attention of domestic public opinion in Japan to a certain extent, and can also reduce the risk of being hit by enemy firepower during wartime. Its missile test range can cover areas such as the Mariana Trench, which can form a deterrent to the activity areas of submarines and large surface ships of other countries. Third, the eastward move of the site to expand the boundaries of the firepower network. In the future, the shooting range may be transformed into a fixed fortress, becoming a strategic point for Japan to block important waterways and enhance its regional deterrence capabilities.

Analysts pointed out that Japan's establishment of a medium- and long-range missile test range on its own soil for the first time and its plan to conduct offensive weapons tests exposed its attempt to break the principle of "exclusively defensive defense". Related developments deserve attention and vigilance from all parties.