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[Breaking News]Long-range missile launcher to be put into service in Japan

KUMAMOTO, Japan, March 17 Kyodo -Video taken on March 17, 2026, shows a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force long-range missile launcher at GSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, unveiled to local politicians and the media. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capabilities, will be put into service at the camp on March 31, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy. (Kyodo)

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Long-range missile launcher to be put into service in Japan

Photo taken on March 17, 2026, shows a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force long-range missile launcher at GSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, unveiled to local politicians and the media. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capabilities, will be put into service at the camp on March 31, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy.

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Long-range missile launcher to be put into service in Japan

Photo taken on March 17, 2026, shows a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force long-range missile launcher at GSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, unveiled to local politicians and the media. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capabilities, will be put into service at the camp on March 31, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy.

E

Long-range missile launcher to be put into service in Japan

Photo taken on March 17, 2026, shows a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force long-range missile launcher at GSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, unveiled to local politicians and the media. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capabilities, will be put into service at the camp on March 31, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy.

E

Long-range missile launcher to be put into service in Japan

Photo taken on March 17, 2026, shows a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force long-range missile launcher at GSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, unveiled to local politicians and the media. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capabilities, will be put into service at the camp on March 31, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy.

E

Japan: Residents Protest as Long-Range Missile Launcher Arrives at JGSDF Camp in Kumamoto 2

Early on March 9, the Ministry of Defense delivered a long-range missile launcher to the Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Kengun in Kumamoto for their first domestic deployment. In response to the move, which began without prior notice from the ministry, more than a hundred protesters gathered outside the camp, demanding the withdrawal of the deployment and the holding of a briefing for residents.

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Japan: Residents Protest as Long-Range Missiles Launcher Arrives at JGSDF Camp in Kumamoto

Early on March 9, the Ministry of Defense delivered a long-range missiles launcher to the Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Kengun in Kumamoto for their first domestic deployment. In response to the move, which began without prior notice from the ministry, more than a hundred protesters gathered outside the camp, demanding the withdrawal of the deployment and the holding of a briefing for residents.

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Long-range missile launcher to be deployed in Japan

People protest near Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on the evening of March 8, 2026, ahead of the scheduled arrival of a GSDF vehicle carrying a long-range missile launcher. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capability, will be deployed at the camp by the end of March, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy.

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Long-range missile launcher to be deployed in Japan

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force vehicle carrying a long-range missile launcher arrives at GSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, in the early hours of March 9, 2026. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capability, will be deployed at the camp by the end of March, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy.

E

Long-range missile launcher to be deployed in Japan

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force vehicle carrying a long-range missile launcher arrives at GSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, in the early hours of March 9, 2026. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capability, will be deployed at the camp by the end of March, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy.

E

Long-range missile launcher to be deployed in Japan

Police officers stand guard near Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on the evening of March 8, 2026, ahead of the scheduled arrival of a GSDF vehicle carrying a long-range missile launcher. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capability, will be deployed at the camp by the end of March, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy.

E

Long-range missile launcher to be deployed in Japan

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force vehicle carrying a long-range missile launcher arrives at GSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, in the early hours of March 9, 2026. The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which can fly about 1,000 kilometers and is deemed to have counterattack capability, will be deployed at the camp by the end of March, marking a turning point in Japan's exclusively defense-oriented postwar security policy.

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Japan-U.S. joint defense exercise

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel and U.S. Marine Corps personnel attend a ceremony at the GSDF's Kengun base in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 14, 2023, ahead of their joint exercise Resolute Dragon designed to strengthen capability to defend remote islands.

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Japan-U.S. joint defense exercise

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel (back) and U.S. Marine Corps personnel attend a ceremony at the GSDF's Kengun base in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 14, 2023, ahead of their joint exercise Resolute Dragon designed to defend remote islands.

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Japan-U.S. joint defense exercise

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel (back) and U.S. Marine Corps personnel attend a ceremony at the GSDF's Kengun base in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 14, 2023, ahead of their joint exercise Resolute Dragon designed to defend remote islands.

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Drill for Nankai Trough earthquake held in Kumamoto Pref.

KUMAMOTO, Japan - The Japan Self-Defense Forces and participating organizations discuss a rescue strategy during a Nankai Trough earthquake drill at the JGSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto City, on June 3, 2014.

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Japan, U.S. forces joint exercise

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Members of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. soldiers take part in a joint exercise termed Yama Sakura at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto on Jan. 27, 2011. The annual bilateral exercise runs through early February.

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CORRECTED: Opening ceremony for joint Japan-U.S. forces exercise

Kiyoshi Ogawa (R), commanding general of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force Western Army, and his U.S. counterpart Stephen Lanza, shake hands during the opening ceremony for a joint exercise, known as Yamasakura, at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 5, 2016. It is the 71st bilateral exercise that has been held since 1982. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan, U.S. forces joint exercise

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Members of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. soldiers take part in a joint exercise termed Yama Sakura at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto on Jan. 27, 2011. The annual bilateral exercise runs through early February. (Kyodo)

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Japan-U.S. bilateral exercise

Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force personnel attend the opening ceremony of a bilateral exercise with the U.S. military at the GSDF's Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 7, 2020.

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Japan-U.S. bilateral exercise

Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force personnel and U.S. soldiers take part in a bilateral exercise at the GSDF's Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 7, 2020.