Japan Unveils Powerful 1,000-Kilometer Type 12 Coastal Defense Missile System

Japan has taken a major step toward strengthening its maritime defenses with the official public debut of its upgraded Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile (12SSM) system. Showcased for the first time during the Fuji Firepower Exercise on June 8, 2025, the new missile system was revealed at the Higashi-Fuji training grounds in Shizuoka Prefecture. This advanced platform is designed to protect Japan’s coastline and surrounding islands from increasing naval threats in the region.

The highlight of the system is its dramatically extended range—now reaching up to 1,000 kilometers. This means the missile can engage hostile ships well before they approach Japanese territory. The enhanced strike capability gives Japan a broader coverage area in the East China Sea and beyond, allowing its forces to respond more proactively to any maritime aggression.

The Type 12 missile system is built on a mobile, high-mobility 8x8 wheeled chassis, which serves as a transporter-erector-launcher (TEL). The vehicle carries eight missile launch canisters arranged in two rows, ready for rapid salvo launches. It also includes hydraulic stabilizers to keep the vehicle steady during firing, a protected crew cabin, and integrated fire-control and targeting systems for autonomous operation. Because of its mobility, the system can quickly reposition across Japan’s rugged coastlines and island chains—an essential feature for defending the country’s long and strategically important archipelago.

This missile system was previously test-fired from Niijima Island in 2024, demonstrating its long-range strike capabilities from remote locations. The success of that test helped confirm the missile’s ability to deliver precision strikes over extended distances, further enhancing Japan’s deterrence posture.

One of the most important features of the upgraded Type 12 missile is its stealth design. The missile’s low radar signature makes it more difficult to detect and intercept, increasing its chances of reaching its target even in contested environments with modern naval defenses. This makes the system particularly useful in modern warfare scenarios where survivability and speed are crucial.

Japan’s decision to field this powerful system is largely driven by growing regional tensions. China has been increasingly assertive in maritime disputes, particularly around the Senkaku Islands, while North Korea continues to test ballistic missiles near Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Russia, too, has ramped up military activity around the Kuril Islands. In response, Japan is expanding its defensive capabilities to maintain security and freedom of navigation.

Production of the new TEL units began in fiscal year 2023, and the Ministry of Defense plans to deploy them to seven missile regiments located from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. This wide geographic distribution creates a strong, layered coastal defense network across some of the most vulnerable parts of Japan’s maritime zone.

By integrating modern targeting systems, mobile platforms, and long-range missiles, the Type 12 SSM system is not just a coastal defense asset—it’s a strategic tool. It allows Japan to project force and maintain control over vital sea lanes and chokepoints like the Miyako Strait, all without relying solely on its navy or air force.

In essence, the public display of the upgraded Type 12 missile system marks Japan’s evolution into a nation capable of more flexible and proactive defense. It reflects a broader shift in Japan’s military doctrine, moving from strictly defensive operations toward credible counterstrike capabilities in an increasingly unstable region.