The Japanese military announced on Tuesday that it had conducted a missile test for the first time on the country’s own territory.
The Type-88 surface-to-ship short range missiles were test fired at the Shizunai Anti-Air Firing Range on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido.
Around 300 soldiers took part in the exercise by the Ground Self-Defence Force’s 1st Artillery Brigade. The soldiers fired at an unmanned boat around 40 kilometres off of the coast, authorities said.
Later this year, Japan intends to deploy long-range cruise missiles, including Tomahawks.
Previously, Japan has conducted missile tests overseas, including on the territories of defence partners like the US and Australia.
The test was conducted as Japan accelerates its military build-up to reinforce its strike-back capabilities as a deterrence to China.
China has increased its stockpile of medium-range ballistic missiles capable of striking US military bases in Japan, according to the Pentagon.
North Korea has also carried out missile tests, with short-range ballistic missiles being fired into the Sea of Japan.
In April, NATO chief Mark Rutte and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishibia vowed to further deepen military ties to tackle what they see as the growing threats from China, North Korea and Russia.
