Japan Conducts First-Ever Surface-to-Ship Missile Test

Hokkaido – Wednesday, June 25, 2025: Japan has conducted its first domestic live-fire surface-to-ship missile test, firing a Type-88 missile from its northern island of Hokkaido. This marks a historic shift in Japan’s defense training strategy, which has traditionally relied on overseas drills, especially in the United States.

The missile was launched by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) toward the Pacific coastal waters as part of a broader effort to strengthen island defense capabilities. Officials say the exercise was crucial due to the growing regional instability.

Training at Home for Cost and Capability

Japan usually performs such drills at US military ranges. However, the weakening yen and high costs of overseas operations, along with limited troop participation, have driven Japan to carry out similar exercises within its territory.

Government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi addressed the press, explaining: “Domestic live-fire exercises like this one provide training opportunities for more troops. These drills are extremely important to improve our ability to defend our islands.”

He added that the drill was not targeted at any specific country, although Japan has previously described China as its “greatest strategic challenge” due to its growing military influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Rising Defense Measures

This test comes amid Japan’s efforts to ramp up its defense spending, aiming to reach the NATO benchmark of 2% of GDP in the coming years. Japan is also deepening its military alliance with the United States, focusing on joint readiness for potential regional flashpoints like Taiwan.

Japan’s decision to host such drills on its soil signals a more assertive military posture, while also reducing dependency on foreign training infrastructure.