world
U.S. to Deploy Midrange Missile System to Japan for Joint Drills
The U.S. military will send its Typhon missile system to Kagoshima Prefecture starting Monday for exercises with Japan's Self-Defense Forces. The system can launch Tomahawk missiles up to 1,600 kilometers and will participate in two training periods before moving to a U.S. base.
japantimes.co.jpAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
The U.S. military will deploy its Typhon midrange missile system to Kagoshima Prefecture beginning Monday for joint exercises with Japan's Self-Defense Forces. The land-based system, which can fire Tomahawk cruise missiles as far as 1,600 kilometers, will first take part in the Valiant Shield drills at the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Kanoya Air Base through July 1.
The same system is scheduled for use during the Orient Shield joint drills in September. It will then move to a U.S. military base in Japan around mid-October. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the deployment is temporary and intended to improve rapid response and interoperability between the two forces.
Ministry called the move an example of Japan's accelerated remilitarization and said it would threaten regional security. Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that the deployment of a strategic offensive weapon would harm other countries' security interests and increase the risk of military confrontation.
The U.S. will also send its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System for the same exercises. No live firing is planned while the systems are at Kanoya base.
