In response to rising challenges from China and North Korea, Japan’s acquisition of subtle US boat weapons will significantly improve its long-range counterstrike functions. This is a crucial part of the country’s remilitarization.  ,
This month, multiple media outlets reported that the US approved the sale of 16 AGM-158B JASSM-ERs ( Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles-Extended Range ) to Japan.
The US$ 39 million deal includes superior training weapons, anti-jam GPS devices, assistance equipment and software, according to the information. The schedule coincides with rising tensions involving North Korea’s continuous missile provocations and China’s territorial assertiveness.
The US Air Force developed the very developed JASSM-ER air-launched boat weapon. With a range of about 1, 000 kilometers—nearly three days that of its predecessor—it is tailored for perfection attacks against high-value goals.
A 450-kilogram WDU-42/B penetrator weapon guided by INS/GPS techniques and an ultraviolet seeker for end guidance are included in the missile. Its inclusion with Japan’s F-15J and F-35 combatants ensures compatibility with superior platforms, more bolstering its value.
This consolidation coincides with Japan’s broader protection reforms, as outlined in its 2024 annual defence white sheet, which prioritizes the merger of conflict capabilities.
These changes place greater emphasis on counterstrike capabilities and upgraded missile systems as essential components of Japan’s strategy against changing local threats. Nevertheless, achieving these objectives has substantial challenges, particularly in specific detection and tracking.
Analysts like Veerle Nouwens point out that Japan’s ability to use such systems effectively is hampered by gaps in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance ( ISR ) despite the JASSM-ER being a formidable asset.
As noted in a January 2024 International Institute of Strategic Studies ( IISS) report, these limitations necessitate continued reliance on US support.
The report emphasizes Japan’s attempts to close ISR gaps through assistance with the US and investments in business satellite imagery, small-satellite constellations, and superior sensor systems.
Despite these improvements, Japan’s ability to detect nuclear missile launch also depends on US space-based infrared methods, given the exorbitant costs and technical challenges of developing local alternatives.
The margins have increased as a result of new developments in Chinese and North Vietnamese missile systems. The challenge of China’s hypersonic glide vehicles ( HGVs ) and fractional orbital bombardment systems ( FOBs ), which reduce adversaries ‘ response times through quick maneuverability and speed, is highlighted in the US Department of Defense’s 2024 China Military Power Report.
Similarly, North Korea’s increasing reliance on varied launch platforms—including transporter erector launchers ( TELs ), submarines and railway cars—complicates detection and interception efforts, as noted in a September 2024 briefing by Japan’s Ministry of Defense.
The Japanese government’s desire to have long-range counterstrike capabilities reveals fundamental flaws in the country’s security sector. This crucial industry has been hollowed out by decades of neglect, leaving Japan heavily dependent on imported and imported systems from abroad.
Over 100 big Chinese defense companies have left the sector due to poor profit margins and uneven government support, according to Valerie Insinna, who wrote for Breaking Defense in June 2024.
Smaller vendors, in special, have struggled to survive amidst resources swings and an aging labor, exacerbating threats in the supply chain.
Due to its fragility, Japan must rely on the US for both munitions and ISR capabilities. However, the US faces its own challenges in ramping up missile production to counter China’s growing firepower.
As noted by Asia Times, aging infrastructure, limited production capacity, and supply chain constraints complicate efforts to scale manufacturing.
Complex technologies like GPS and inertial navigation systems demand specialized parts and expertise, which further delays production.
These issues are made worse by bureaucratic inefficiencies and budgetary constraints, raising questions about whether the US can meet its demands or even offer sufficient support to allies like Japan.
These restrictions could cause Japan to be without urgent supplies in the event of a US-China conflict over Taiwan. According to Gordon Arthur of Defense News, Japan’s prolonged reliance on the US has hampered its military development, rendering it unable to conduct independent operations in the majority of cases.
Japan’s military modernization does not align with its perception of threats in its current security environment, which its 2024 defense white paper describes as the most severe and complex the nation has faced since World War II, despite having niche capabilities that support US forces.
Japan’s acquisition of long-range counterstrike capabilities has sparked mixed reactions across the Indo-Pacific. Domestically, opinions are sharply divided.
In line with their arguments, Japan’s defense capabilities must be strengthened in order to respond to threats from China and North Korea. Critics, however, worry that such moves risk a return to militarism, clashing with Japan’s pacifist post-war identity.
Internationally, Japan’s remilitarization has elicited varied responses. Allies like the US welcome the development to boost collective security, particularly in light of China’s growing regional assertiveness.
However, neighboring countries such as China and South Korea view Japan’s actions suspiciously, citing historical grievances and ongoing territorial disputes.
These regional tensions underscore the delicate balance that Japan must strike between maintaining diplomatic relations and strengthening its defense posture, according to Alan Callow, in an article for Asia-Pacific Research in August 2024.
Japan’s purchase of JASSM-ER missiles is a significant step in the development of its military and preventing regional threats. The move also highlights significant flaws in Japan’s defense sector and its persistent reliance on the US for military support.
As Japan attempts to redefine its role in the Indo-Pacific security landscape, it will be crucial to balance these needs and priorities.