In spite of its history of weapons stockpiling and impoverished security sector, Japan plans to build more weapon storage facilities to create a long-range counterstrike army against China and North Korea. & nbsp,
As part of its efforts to improve 130 such facilities by financial 2032 from about 1, 400 now, Japan intends to build more weapons depots at Self-Defense Forces facilities starting in 2024 to keep long-range missiles as it acquires foe base strike capabilities.
The depots will be situated at nine Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces ( JGSDF ) facilities spread across the prefectures of Hokkaido, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, and Okinawa, according to Kyodo News.
According to the source, the Ministry of Defense ( MOD) has asked for 12.4 billion yen( US$ 84 million ) to fund the construction of the stores under the 2024 state budget, which will be drafted in December and begin in April for the new fiscal year.
According to the document, the MOD did begin research with the money to design stores at six Hokkaido services, two in Miyazaki, five in Okinawa, and three in Kagoshima.
Additionally, it mentions that the MOD is required to maintain the types and quantities of ammunition the depots may store classified, which causes locals to worry about their safety.
weapon tests that provoke
Japan has developed a sizable weapon army with counterstrike skills in response to growing weapon threats from China and North Korea.
Five Chinese ballistic missiles made their first landing in Japan’s exclusive economic zone( EEZ ) and nbsp in August 2022, according to Reuters, during extensive Chinese military drills in response to former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ‘ contentious visit to Taiwan, which sparked vehement diplomatic protests from Japan.
In addition, two nuclear missiles that North Korea fired that quarter even touched down in Japan’s EEZ, according to The New York Times’ June report. & nbsp,
These tests are only the beginning of Japan’s weapon risk. Asia Times reported in August that China is capable of striking Japan with 1, 900 ground-launched intermediate-range ballistic missiles ( IRBMs ) and 300 intermediate – range cruise rockets. Numerous nuclear weapons from North Korea bring Japan within striking distance.
Additionally, both nations have created hypersonic missiles that might be able to get around Japan’s recent defenses. & nbsp,
The Japan Times revealed in March that Japan intends to deploy US-made Tomahawk cruise weapons on all eight of its Aegis ships by financial 2027 in response to these challenges.
The Japan Times reports that the Chinese government intends to spend 211.3 billion yen on the most recent Tomahawk Block-5 missiles, which have a range of around 1,600 kilometers. & nbsp,
In addition to purchasing US Tomahawk rockets, Japan aims to manufacture long-range weapons locally. Japan was considering the implementation of 1, 000 long-range cruise weapons to enhance its counterstrike functions against China, according to Asia Times in August 2022.
The missiles’ variety will be increased from 100 to 1, 000 km by modifications made to the JGSDF’s Type 12 hypersonic anti-ship missile. They are intended to be based in Kyushu and the Southwest Islands of Japan and will be launched from tankers and fighter jet. Two years earlier than expected, in 2024, the upgraded ground-launched Type 12 may be put into service.
Additionally, as part of a larger plan to deploy 1, 000 upgraded cruise missiles by 2026 to deter China, Asia Times reported in August that Japan is constructing one with interchangeable reconnaissance, electronic warfare ( EW ), and conventional warheads.
With the aid of these missiles, Japan could start a recon warhead with an advanced camera to ascertain the enemy’s location, an EW missile to deactivate enemy radar and other sensors, and then an normally armed missile may release the lethal strike.
The fresh weapons are designed to obliterate enemy ships that are passing through the Nansei Islands, which span the prefectures of Kyushu and Okinawa.
Japan is also creating new weapon supply systems for its arsenal. Asia Times covered Japan’s plans to turn cargo flights into improvised weapon carriers that would fly from isolated and rustic airstrips in August. In order to engage army outposts in counterstrike activities, the MOD plans to equip its Kawasaki C – 2 transport planes with air-launched weapons. & nbsp,
The Rapid Dragon air-launched palletized weapons principle, which the US second tested in 2021, is a related technology that it is also developing. On board its 14 C – 130 cargo planes, Japan perhaps use Rapid Dragon or a similar internally developed program.
Palletized weapons systems can address connectivity, availability, and capacity problems with air-launched cruise missile platforms. Only two air-launched cruise missiles without planes are operated by Japan using fighter jets that are Western-made or motivated. & nbsp,
Intentions are obstructed
Despite those optimistic plans to develop a powerful weapon arsenal, Japan faces major obstacles.
Jeffrey Hornung claims in a December 2022 RAND content that Japan has not done well at stockpiling large quantities of heat or ship-launched weapons. This is true despite the fact that there are no public records of the latest stockspiles of ammunition, according to media reports and personal discussions with officials. & nbsp,
According to Hornung, the MOD finances have recently set aside money to ensure uninterrupted operations, which includes tie munitions. He also points out that Japan’s devotion was indicated by the defence budget request for August 2022, which included funding for ongoing operations and securing manufacturing facilities for specific ammunition types.
Hornung does, nonetheless, draw attention to the fact that Japan’s expertise with many of its former ordnance stores suggests that follow-through in this area may become lacking.
Japan even encounters difficulties in the production of missiles. The Mainichi reported in December 2021 that Japan’s protection sector is struggling due to high costs, advancing technology, and insufficient federal funding.
According to the source, Japan founded its own Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency in 2015 to support local defence business growth and promote international sales of shared technology research and development. But, it claims that as the authorities increased its purchases of pricey equipment from the US, revenue have decreased.
The service of Japan’s protection system has been delayed, according to the source, due to discussions about the price of costly US jets and other equipment. According to the report, Japan negotiated the upgrade costs for dozens of F-15 fighter jets, which were initially valued at 552 billion yen but were later reduced to 397 billion ( US$ 3.5 billion ). & nbsp,
According to The Mainichi, Japan switched from using US long-range anti-ship cruise missiles as originally planned to lower costs even further to shorter – range air-to-surface standoff missile manufactured domestically.
It is not practical to stockpile US-made weapons because, in the event of a potential conflict with China, the US may require all of its missile stocks, leaving Japan with much extra. Japan is also susceptible to embargo due to its isolation, which calls for increased local manufacturing.
Additionally, Japan’s ability to purchase US missiles may be constrained because they are only permitted to do so by the US. & nbsp,