Shubham Kumar

Japan just crossed a line that stood for nearly 80 years. For the first time since World War II, Japan has begun deploying long-range missiles capable of striking mainland China. The upgraded Type-12 missile has a range of about 1,000 km, meaning it can reach China’s coast directly from Kyushu. This is a structural shift with significant strategic ramifications for the regional balance of power. Japan’s 2026 defense budget has reached about ¥9 trillion, the largest in its history, with ¥1 trillion dedicated specifically to long-range strike capabilities. Tokyo is also purchasing U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles, arming F-35 and F-15 fighters with long-range weapons, and developing hypersonic missiles with 2,000–3,000 km range. Even more significant, Japan now openly says it may strike first if it believes an attack is imminent. The Self-Defense Forces were once designed purely for defense. That era is ending. Japan is rapidly transforming into a true military power, and China is the reason.