Korean Media: Japan's Deployment of 'Tomahawk' Missiles Will Ignite a New Spark
A report published by Korean media outlet JoongAng Ilbo (Japanese Edition) on March 30 pointed out: Japan will begin installing U.S.-made Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles on its Maritime Self-Defense Force frigates, which could become a new source of conflict in China-Japan relations.
The actual deployment of the Tomahawk missiles is expected to take place this September. Capable of reaching not only the Korean Peninsula but even striking deep into Chinese inland areas, this development has prompted heightened vigilance from China.
Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (SCMP), citing military commentators, stated: “The deployment of Tomahawk cruise missiles represents a fundamental shift from Japan’s ‘exclusive defense’ strategy, forcing China to remain in a state of high alert.”
Last year, Taro Aso’s remarks suggesting military intervention in Taiwan during an emergency situation worsened bilateral relations. Japan’s efforts to enhance its defense capabilities are widely interpreted as potentially further escalating tensions with China.
Previously, Kyodo News reported that the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Aegis frigate Tyōgai (Myōkō-class) has completed renovations and now possesses the capability to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles.
In 2022, Japan revised three security documents including the National Security Strategy, explicitly clarifying the need to strengthen retaliatory strike capabilities—specifically, the ability to attack enemy bases—and began pushing forward with purchasing Tomahawk missiles and upgrading existing ones as key means to achieve this goal.
The renovation of the Myōkō was carried out to ensure such retaliatory capability. The ship has been undergoing upgrades at a U.S. Navy base in San Diego, California.
Following the completion ceremony held locally on March 26, Japan plans to conduct a test launch of the Tomahawk missile before August. This will mark the first time Japanese frigates use live ammunition for a test launch. The Tomahawk missiles installed on the frigates have a range exceeding 1,600 kilometers. If the frigate operates in waters near Kyushu, parts of inland China will fall within their strike range.
The frigate has already completed test launches of Tomahawks in the United States and is expected to return to Japan by mid-September for deployment.
Japan plans to import up to 400 Tomahawk missiles, which will be successively installed on the eight Aegis-equipped ships in the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Although China has not yet issued an official stance regarding Japan’s deployment of Tomahawk missiles on Aegis frigates, SCMP reports that China is closely monitoring the restructuring measures of the Maritime Self-Defense Force and preparing for potential conflicts.
Japan is gradually expanding its military reach, shifting focus from its own territory toward the Pacific region. The Maritime Self-Defense Force has established a "Surface Fleet" responsible for escort duties and mine clearance, while the Air Self-Defense Force has been rebranded as the "Air and Space Self-Defense Force."
Recently, China has begun deploying long-range anti-ship missiles targeting the Kumamoto Ground Self-Defense Force base and plans to deploy long-range missiles to the most eastern outpost, Minami-Tori-shima (South Bird Island), by June.
Chinese military commentators told SCMP that Japan’s military buildup in the region is sending out “danger signals,” increasing the risk of conflict in the Taiwan Strait and East China Sea.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861090647408075/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) alone.