Japan's missile drills near Russia spark Kremlin outrage
Japan is planning its first-ever exercises using Type 88 missiles near the Kuril Islands, a region over which it remains formally at war with Russia. The announcement has caused significant discontent in the Kremlin.
According to the Army Recognition portal, at the end of May 2025, Japanese media reported on the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's (JGSDF) plans to conduct its inaugural exercises using Type 88 missiles from land.
The exercises will take place near the disputed Kuril Islands, which Russia has occupied since the end of World War II. The two countries have not signed a peace treaty and formally remain at war.
Military exercises on Hokkaido under Russia's nose
The Japanese military exercises involving the Type 88 missile system are scheduled at the Shizunai training ground in Shinhidaka on the island of Hokkaido. This event marks a breakthrough in Japan's training doctrine and has already prompted a sharp reaction from Russia due to its proximity to disputed territories.
The Shizunai training ground, which covers 485 square miles of restricted airspace, offers favorable conditions for conducting missile launches. The exercises are scheduled between June 24 and June 29, with plans to launch one missile on two selected days. About 300 soldiers from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd missile regiments will participate in the maneuvers.
The exercises reflect Japan's desire to normalize localized missile training, allowing for more frequent and cost-effective maneuvers. Long-term plans include expanding the national training infrastructure, including constructing a new missile range on Minami-Torishima island in the Ogasawara chain, expected to be ready in fiscal year 2026.
The Type 88 missile system, developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and introduced in the late '80s, is at the core of these exercises. This truck-mounted system is a key component of Japan's coastal defense strategy, enabling precise attacks on maritime targets at a range of approximately 112 miles.
Kremlin's strong opposition
The proximity of the exercise location to disputed territories with Russia has sparked strong diplomatic reactions from Moscow. The exercises aim not only to improve tactical skills but also to enhance Japan's capability for land-sea operations in realistic combat conditions.
This event on Japanese soil marks an important step in the evolution of Japan's defensive posture, signaling a desire to strengthen deterrence and operational autonomy. These actions could have broad strategic implications, affecting security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Type 88 missiles - the main anti-ship defense measure of the Japan Self-Defense Forces
The land-launched version of the Type 88 missile uses a turbojet engine and a rocket booster, which falls away after a few seconds of operation. The missile is launched from an eight-wheeled launcher carrying a payload of six missiles.
Similar to most competitors, the Japanese Type 88 missile travels at a speed of 0.9 Mach (1,008 feet/second) just above the water surface, at an altitude of 16-20 feet. The missile's targeting is managed by an inertial navigation module and a radar homing head, which operates in the final phase of flight, precisely guiding the missile with a 496-pound penetrating warhead onto the enemy ship.
