Japan conducts maiden missile test inside its territory in Hokkaido
Japan’s army announced Tuesday that it conducted a missile test for the first time on Japanese territory.
The test-firing of the Type-88 surface-to-ship short range missile was conducted Tuesday at the Shizunai Anti-Air Firing Range on Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido.
The exercise by the Ground Self-Defense Force's 1st Artillery Brigade was joined by about 300 soldiers who fired at an unmanned boat about 40 kilometers (24 miles) off the southern coast of Hokkaido, officials said.
Officials were still examining the results of the test, they said.
The test was conducted as Japan accelerates its military buildup to acquire strike-back capabilities as a deterrence to Китай.
Япония възнамерява да разгърне круизни ракети на дълги дистанции, в това число Томахаукс, започвайки по-късно тази година.
Япония преди този момент е провеждала ракетни проби в чужбина, в това число в териториите на своите сътрудници за защита като Съединени американски щати и Австралия.
