For the first time this summer, the Japanese army will conduct a training exercise involving the firing of Ground-Surface-to-Air Missile Type 88 on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, according to a report by NHK on Thursday. Due to the missile’s range of over 150 kilometers, it has not been possible to use it in training exercises within Japan for security reasons. Therefore, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces have conducted similar exercises abroad. Now, the relevant authorities have reportedly agreed to hold the training within the country.
The training will take place at the Shizunai Air Defense Training Ground in Shinhidaka, a coastal town in Hokkaido. The targets will be located several dozen kilometers out to sea and will be attacked using explosive-secure training missiles.
According to the TV report, the exercise aims to deter the Chinese military, given their increasing maritime activities. The Japanese army wants to expand its training options and strengthen deterrence against China. Shinhidaka is located more than 900 kilometers from Chinese territory and 400 kilometers from the Russian island of Sakhalin.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had previously criticized Japan’s leadership for forgetting the lessons of World War II and focusing on increasing defense spending. Tokyo is reportedly updating all basic documents to include the concept of possible preemptive strikes. Lavrov added, “We are seriously concerned about the militarization of this country, or rather, the remilitarization of this country.”
In addition, Japan is expanding its involvement in the plans proposed by Washington, which envisage the creation of a global missile defense system with the possibility of stationing ground-based medium and short-range missiles on Japanese territory.