As the Chinese military continues to strengthen its maritime operations, Japan hopes to increase anti-ship missile tests on its own soil to strengthen its deterrent effect. The Ground Self-Defense Force announced on Tuesday (24th) that it had completed its first land-based anti-ship missile test training in the territory. At the same time, Japan protested against China's construction of new structures in the East China Sea.
The Associated Press and NHK reported that the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conducted a land-to-ship "Type 88 Land-Based Anti-Ship Missile" test-firing training at the Shizunai Air Firing Range in Shinhidaka Town, Hokkaido. About 300 Self-Defense Force members participated, firing missiles at a target ship about 40 kilometers from the southern coast of Hokkaido. It is expected that another live-fire test will be conducted before the end of the training on Sunday (29th).
The video shows an anti-ship missile being fired from a tank's launcher toward the southwest sea. The Type 88 land-based anti-ship missile has a range of approximately 150 kilometers and is considered a weapon to counter China and Russia. Due to air and sea restrictions, test firings have typically been conducted overseas or off the coast of Japan to minimize impact on surrounding areas. This marks the first time this has been conducted on Japanese soil.
The authorities also plan to build a new shooting range on Minami-Torishima Island in the Ogasawara Islands. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said this will help ensure more training opportunities for troops. "Increasing training opportunities for troops is extremely important in order to maintain and enhance the capabilities required to defend island regions amidst a severe security environment."
Beijing: Sovereign rights do not accept groundless accusations
Separately, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that China has installed new structures west of the median line between Japan and China in the East China Sea, suspected of being used for oil and gas development. Japan has again protested this to China. The Ministry's statement stated that China's unilateral development in the East China Sea, which still requires demarcation of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, is "extremely regrettable," and Japan demands that China cease its efforts.
Japan and China reached an agreement in 2008 to jointly develop oil and gas fields in the East China Sea, but negotiations on concluding the relevant treaty were interrupted in 2010, and Japan asked China to return to the negotiating table.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday (25th) that China's oil and gas development activities in the East China Sea are located in the undisputed waters under China's jurisdiction and are entirely within the scope of China's sovereign rights and jurisdiction. China does not accept Japan's groundless accusations.
He stressed that China adheres to and is committed to the comprehensive and effective implementation of the principled consensus on the East China Sea issue, and hopes that Japan will work with China to restart negotiations between the two governments as soon as possible
