TOKYO — Japan's Ministry of Defense announced on July 30 that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has successfully conducted its first live-fire test of a U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile from the Aegis guided-missile destroyer JS Chokai (DDG-176), marking a major step in the country's efforts to strengthen its stand-off strike capability.
The live-fire test was carried out on July 29 (Japan time) in the Pacific Ocean while JS Chokai was deployed to the United States as part of Japan's Tomahawk acquisition and training program. The U.S. Navy supported the event by providing the test range, monitoring the surrounding airspace and waters, and assisting with test planning. Japanese officials emphasized that the missile launch was conducted by the JMSDF crew.
The successful launch makes Japan the third country outside the United States, after Australia and the Netherlands, to fire a Tomahawk missile from a surface combatant. It is also the fourth country outside the United States to launch the missile overall, following the United Kingdom, which operates Tomahawks from submarines.
Test Verified Launch Procedures and Missile Flight
Officials from Japan's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) said the test confirmed that JS Chokai and its crew successfully completed the full launch sequence, including all required operational procedures. The test also verified the missile's flight to its designated target.
ATLA did not disclose several operational details, citing coordination with the U.S. Navy and the need to protect Japan's defense capabilities. The agency withheld information including the precise test location beyond the Pacific Ocean, the type of target used, the missile's flight range, guidance procedures, the number of missiles launched, and whether the missile was a Block IV or Block V Tomahawk.
Months of Preparation Before the Launch
Japan's Ministry of Defense announced in March 2026 that JS Chokai had been modified to operate Tomahawk cruise missiles. Officials said the months leading up to the live-fire test were used to verify the newly installed equipment and train the ship's crew in launch procedures.
At the time of the announcement, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Japan's stand-off defense capability is intended to ensure that any potential adversary understands that attacks against Japan by naval vessels, amphibious forces, or other means can be effectively countered.
Following the completion of its deployment in the United States, JS Chokai is expected to return to its homeport in Sasebo around September 2026. Officials declined to say when the Tomahawk capability will officially enter operational service, stating that releasing such information could reveal details about Japan's defense readiness.
No Additional Live-Fire Tests Planned
ATLA officials said Japan currently has no plans to conduct similar live-fire tests on the other JMSDF Aegis destroyers that are being upgraded to operate Tomahawk missiles.
According to the agency, additional shipboard firing tests are not considered necessary because the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System and Tomahawk launch equipment already have a long operational record with the U.S. Navy. Officials said the successful test aboard JS Chokai confirmed the integration of the Tomahawk weapon system with Japan's combat system.
Upgrades Planned for Five Aegis Destroyers
Japan has allocated approximately 113.6 billion yen (about $694 million) through fiscal year 2026 to equip five of its eight JMSDF Aegis destroyers with Tomahawk launch capability. The ships are:
- JS Chokai
- JS Kirishima
- JS Haguro
- JS Myoko
- JS Atago
Modification work on Haguro and Kirishima began during fiscal year 2025. Contracts for the required equipment for Atago and Myoko have already been awarded, with modification work scheduled to begin during fiscal year 2026.
Funding for upgrades to the remaining three Aegis destroyers will be considered from fiscal year 2027 onward, although officials said it is too early to estimate the cost.
Japan is also building two Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEVs) scheduled to enter service in fiscal years 2027 and 2028. While the vessels are intended to operate Tomahawk missiles in the future, ministry officials said they are not expected to have Tomahawk launch capability when they first enter service.
Tomahawk Procurement Program Remains on Schedule
Japan plans to acquire up to 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program at a total cost of approximately 169.4 billion yen (about $1.03 billion).
The procurement schedule remains unchanged:
- Up to 200 Block IV missiles are scheduled for delivery between fiscal years 2025 and 2027.
- Up to 200 Block V missiles are scheduled for delivery between fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
ATLA confirmed that deliveries began during fiscal year 2025, but officials declined to disclose how many missiles have been delivered or provide a detailed delivery timeline, citing operational security. They stated that the acquisition program remains on schedule.
Officials also confirmed that Japan does not plan to purchase more than the approved 400 Tomahawk missiles. Future expansion of Japan's stand-off strike capability is expected to rely primarily on domestically developed long-range missiles currently under development.
The Ministry of Defense said it announced the successful test as part of its policy of informing taxpayers about the progress of major defense programs funded with public money. Once the current modification program is completed, five of the JMSDF's eight Aegis destroyers will be equipped with Tomahawk launch capability, while upgrades for the remaining three ships are expected to be considered under future budgets.
The Tomahawk is a long-range, subsonic cruise missile with a range of more than 1,600 kilometers. Australia conducted its first surface-ship Tomahawk launch from HMAS Brisbane in December 2024, while the Netherlands carried out its first launch from HNLMS De Ruyter in March 2025.
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