Japan Set to Launch Type 88 Missile Drills

Japan is set to conduct exercises featuring Type 88 anti-ship missiles on its territory for the first time. The practice firings will take place at the Shinhidaka range in southeastern Hokkaido, strategically positioned near Russia’s Kuril Islands and vital sea lanes controlled by China. Scheduled for June 2025, these maneuvers are interpreted as a strong signal to both Russia and China amid their increasing military presence in the Pacific region.

According to sources , this will mark the first instance in Japan’s history where Type 88 missile exercises are held domestically, rather than at U.S. training grounds, which had previously been utilized due to safety restrictions concerning air and sea space. The Shinhidaka training facility, located along the Pacific coast, will facilitate the practice of targeting maritime threats with training missiles that do not contain explosive charges. The choice of Hokkaido is strategically significant, as the island is situated near the Tsugaru Strait and the Sea of Okhotsk—key maritime routes for both Russian and Chinese naval operations.

The decision to conduct these exercises comes amid escalating regional tensions. The joint patrols by Russian and Chinese vessels in the Pacific, including a passage through the Tsugaru Strait in October 2021, have heightened concerns in Tokyo. Additionally, China is fortifying its military presence in the East China Sea, while Russia regularly conducts drills in the Kuril Islands, including the use of the S-300VM air defense system. In April 2023, Moscow announced missile exercises involving the Pacific Fleet in the Kuril region, provoking a protest from Japan. In response to these developments, Tokyo is seeking to enhance its defense capabilities, viewing the upcoming exercises as a crucial element of its deterrence strategy.