Japan Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in a Tuesday press conference refuted reports that the improved Type 12 surface-to-ship missile will be deployed first with units on the main island of Kyushu, claiming the Ministry of Defense was still examining locations. Meanwhile, China carried out more than 50 aircraft sorties around Taiwan from Monday to Tuesday as part of a military drill around Taiwan it claims are in response to foreign support for Taiwan’s independence.
On Sunday, Japan’s Kyodo News, citing government sources, reported that the improved Type 12 SSMs – which have a range of 1,000 km compared with the 200 km range of the in-service model and are also able to attack ground targets – would be deployed on t Kyushu by March 2026. This would put coastal areas of North Korea and China within missile range.
In his regularly scheduled Tuesday press conference, Nakatani said the MOD was aware of the reports, which he pushed back against.
“We will make a decision at an appropriate time in the future after a comprehensive review to ensure that the equipment can be deployed in the most appropriate location,” said Nakatani.
Nakatani was also asked on the latest developments in regards to Japan’s acquisition of the Tomahawk cruise missile. He said the missile will gradually be installed on the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Aegis destroyers starting with JS Chokai (DDG-176) in Japan’s Fiscal Year 2025 (Apr. 1–Mar. 31).
Chokai is one of four Kongo-class destroyers – Japan’s first Aegis destroyers – followed by two Atago-class and two Maya-class destroyers. Two Aegis system equipped vessel destroyers are currently under construction, with delivery scheduled in 2027 and 2028. Japan will acquire 200 Block IV Tomahawks, and 200 Block V Tomahawks in the FY 2025-2027 time frame.
Also on Tuesday, Japan’s Joint Staff Office (JSO) issued a release stating that on Monday morning and afternoon, a presumed Chinese unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flew in from the East China Sea, passed between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan and reached the Philippine Sea. It conducted a circuit before turning back and passing between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan again to return to the East China Sea. A map included in the release showed the UAV conducting its circuit parallel to the center of Taiwan’s east coast.
Another presumed Chinese UAV flew in from the East China Sea on Monday afternoon flying a similar circuit – parallel to the central east coast of Taiwan to the east coast of the southern tip of Taiwan. In response, fighter aircraft from the Southwest Air Defense Command of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force were scrambled, according to the statement.
The UAV movements were part of a surge in Chinese military aircraft sorties around Taiwan. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported that from Monday 6 a.m. to Tuesday 6 a.m, 59 Chinese military aircraft and 9 Peoples’ Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships were detected operating around Taiwan, and 43 out of 59 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern air defence identification zone (ADIZ).
The MND also released a video on social media channel X showing Republic of China Navy (ROCN) personnel at sea monitoring PLAN destroyer CNS Guilin (164) and imagery of Chinese UAVs taken by a Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF). “The ROC Armed Forces closely monitor maritime and aerial activities, with the ROCA, ROCN, and ROCAF conducting joint operations to track and respond to PLA incursions,” read the post
In a Monday press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China was conducting a military drill to deter countries supporting Taiwan’s independence. “China’s relevant military operation is necessary, lawful and legitimate in order to defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. It’s a firm response to external forces who are hellbent on abetting and aiding ‘Taiwan independence,’ and a warning to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces’ unconscionable acts,” stated Mao, according to a transcript.
