Exclusive: Japan to hold first Type 88 anti-ship missile live-training near area disputed with Russia.

According to information published by Japanese media at the end of May 2025 and relayed by the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Northern Army has officially announced its plan to conduct the country's first-ever mainland-based live-fire training of Type 88 surface-to-ship missiles later this month, close to the disputed Kuril Islands, a territory contested between Japan and Russia since the end of World War II.
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JGSDF Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to conduct historic mainland live fire with Type 88 anti-ship missile system near disputed Kuril Islands in June 2025. (Picture source: Wikimedia)

This Japanese military exercise, involved Type 88 anti-ship missile system, scheduled to occur at the Shizunai Anti-aircraft Shooting Range in Shinhidaka Town, Hokkaido, marks a historic turning point in Japan's military training doctrine and has already triggered a stern response from Russia due to the proximity of the training area to contested territories in the northern region.

The Shizunai range, encompassing 1,256 square kilometers of restricted maritime airspace, offers favorable conditions for live missile launches with a fan-shaped layout and strategic access to the JGSDF Northern Army's logistic hubs. Between June 24 and 29, the training will simulate shore-based missile attacks against maritime targets, with one missile planned for launch on each of two selected days. The task force consists of approximately 300 troops drawn from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shore-to-ship missile regiments, representing a significant increase in scale and complexity compared to past overseas training held in the United States and Australia.

This mainland exercise reflects Japan’s ambition to normalize local missile training, reducing reliance on foreign test ranges and allowing for more frequent, cost-effective drills. The move is also tied to long-term strategic plans to expand domestic training infrastructure, including the construction of a new missile firing range on Minami-Torishima Island in the Ogasawara chain, expected to become operational in fiscal year 2026. This development underlines Japan’s commitment to building a fully autonomous missile training ecosystem capable of supporting rapid deployment and operational readiness in its coastal defense architecture.

At the center of the exercise is the deployment of the Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile (SSM-1), a truck-mounted coastal defense system developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and first introduced into service in the late 1980s. The Type 88 missile system is equipped with a solid-fuel rocket booster and a turbojet-powered cruise missile capable of engaging targets at a range of approximately 180 kilometers. Using inertial guidance for mid-course navigation and active radar homing for terminal targeting, the Type 88 is designed to strike enemy vessels with high precision, making it a core component of Japan’s shore-based anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategy. The system is mounted on an 8x8 wheeled transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) and typically deployed in batteries of four launchers, each armed with multiple missiles, supported by command, radar, and reload vehicles.

While officials have not indicated any changes to the exercise schedule, the proximity of the training site to territories disputed with Russia has provoked strong diplomatic reactions from Moscow, heightening tensions in an already sensitive geopolitical theater. Beyond its immediate tactical purpose, the training serves a broader strategic objective. Unlike earlier test firings of the newer Type 12 missile, which focused on hardware performance and guidance upgrades, this drill is centered on refining multi-domain combat coordination. The JGSDF aims to enhance the speed and cohesion of its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) integration with precision strike capabilities. The exercise will test the JGSDF’s readiness to execute land-sea joint operations under realistic combat conditions, reinforcing Japan’s operational transition from a posture of purely passive defense to one that enables limited offensive action within a layered deterrence strategy.

This live-fire event on Japanese soil represents a significant milestone in the evolution of Japan’s national defense posture. It signals a clear intent to reinforce deterrence and operational autonomy while preparing for scenarios that require swift, localized military responses. However, the strategic implications of such actions are expected to resonate beyond Japan’s borders, contributing to a more contested and vigilant security environment across the Indo-Pacific.