Surface-to-ship missile system headed for Japan's easternmost island

NHK has learned that Japan's Defense Ministry is transporting a launcher and other equipment as part of preparations to deploy a surface-to-ship missile system to the nation's easternmost island in the Pacific for the first time.

A Ground Self-Defense Force Type-12 surface-to-ship missile launcher, as well as medium-sized drones used to pinpoint targets, were loaded on Monday onto a private ferry contracted by the ministry.

The ferry departed from Chiba Port near Tokyo on Monday morning for Minamitorishima Island. Minamitorishima Island is part of Tokyo's Ogasawara island chain and is roughly 2,000 kilometers southeast of Japan's main island of Honshu.

The move is part of the ministry's efforts to strengthen defenses on the Pacific side by building a firing range on the island for Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles, which have a range of over 100 kilometers.

It aims to begin firing drills from fiscal 2027, which ends in March 2028.

At this stage, the projectiles themselves are not being brought to the island. Officials will prepare to build the firing range by confirming that the launchers and other equipment function as expected on the island.

Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel and Japan Meteorological Agency workers are stationed there, but there are no residents.