The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force transported long-range missiles to Kumamoto without prior notification to local officials, causing community dissatisfaction and protests against the deployment.
On the early morning of the 9th, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) transported vehicles related to long-range missiles to the Kumamoto City East District base, a key component of the newly established 'enemy base attack capability.' This missile deployment is scheduled to begin within the month. However, local officials expressed their dissatisfaction due to a lack of prior communication regarding the transport, leading to discontent among residents who have started to voice their opposition to such military activities in their area.
The transportation involved large military vehicles that appeared to be carrying missile-related equipment, arriving shortly after midnight and entering the base. Protests had formed in the area since the night before, with demonstrators holding banners and placards, demanding that the deployment be halted. The newly deployed missiles are the upgraded version of the Type 12 surface-to-ship guided missile, capable of hitting targets approximately 1,000 kilometers away, threatening territories within striking distance of the Chinese coastline and the waters surrounding Taiwan. This deployment represents a significant shift in Japan's defense posture as detailed in the revisions to security-related documents in 2022.
The Ministry of Defense confirmed the transport of equipment related to the missile launch system, which was moved from the Fuji base in Shizuoka Prefecture, although the specific storage location of the missiles remains undisclosed. Local leaders, including Kumamoto Mayor Kazushi Onishi and Governor Takashi Kimura, expressed concerns regarding the lack of communication about the transport, urging the government to provide information that would alleviate citizens' anxiety about safety. In response, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated that details regarding the transport would not be disclosed to maintain operational integrity and safety, while confirming that further information sessions would be held for local authorities later in the month as the formal deployment approaches.
