Japan Press Weekly

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2025 August 27 - September 2 [SDF]

Local network demands withdrawal of plan to deploy domestic long-range missiles to Kumamoto

The “upgraded version of type 12 surface-to-ship guided missiles” will be deployed to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Kengun in Kumamoto City (Kumamoto Pref.) within fiscal 2025. This deployment marks the beginning of a similar rollout to five other prefectures nationwide, including Hokkaido.

On August 29, the Ministry of Defense announced the deployment plan for the domestically produced long-range missile system. The deployment is an embodiment of Japan’s possession of the capability to attack enemy bases based on the “three key national security documents” approved by the Cabinet in 2022.

Local communities in all six prefectures have not received any explanation about the deployment plans. Widespread opposition will be inevitable.

Accompanied by Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Tamura Takaaki, a local network consisting of labor unions and democratic organizations in Kumamoto on the same day in the Diet building demanded that the ministry cancel the plan to deploy the “enhanced capability model of the type 12 surface-to-ship guided missiles” to Kumamoto City.

Network members claimed that deploying such missiles to the JGSDF Camp Kengun which is situated within urban areas could threaten the safety of local schools, hospitals, residential areas, and other civilian infrastructure, and that the ministry’s plan violates the Geneva Convention’s principle of separating military bases and facilities from the civilian populations.

They demanded that the ministry hold explanatory meetings with local residents regarding the deployment plan to work together to cancel the plan itself.