NavalNews – Japan plans to field the supersonic ASM-3ER anti-ship missile in FY2027 with a new dual-role capability to target enemy AWACS and tankers at long range.

The War Zone – Japan’s first ASEV missile defense ship just had its huge radar mast installed, providing a new sense of scale for these cruiser-sized warships.

Army Recognition – Japan plans to begin developing an underwater-launched hypersonic missile under its fiscal 2027 defense program, according to reports published by Kyodo News and TASS on August 19, 2026, potentially giving Tokyo a more survivable and harder-to-detect long-range strike option. Combining hypersonic weapons with submerged launch platforms could significantly strengthen Japan’s counterstrike posture by allowing conventional strike assets to remain concealed, reposition across wide operating areas, and reduce an adversary’s ability to locate and continuously track them before launch.

(Thanks to Alain)

Naval News – On May 18, 2026, the Yomiuri Shimbun, one of Japan’s leading national newspapers, reported that the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) are considering equipping unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with airborne early warning (AEW) radar systems.

Naval News – The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) implemented a major organizational reform at the end of March 2026. As part of this restructuring, it established the Patrol and Defense Group (哨戒防備群) and assigned some of its most modern surface combatants, including the Mogami-class frigates, to this formation.

Naval News – Japan is fielding new coastal defense missiles and actively developing new ones, including a hypersonic guided missile, in a push to increase its island defense capabilities amid rising regional tensions and a rapidly evolving security environment in the Indo-Pacific.

Naval News – The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Izumo-class helicopter carrier JS Izumo (DDH-183) has appeared in public view with a dramatically redesigned bow, marking a key milestone in its conversion to operate F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) fighter jets.

Japan Forward – The new long-range missile deployment marks a major strategic shift, boosting deterrence while testing constitutional limits, costs, and integration.

Naval News – Japan has taken a major step in advancing its stand-off defense capabilities, with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) announcing on March 31 the first operational deployment of two domestically developed longer-range missile systems—alongside their formal redesignation as “Type 25” weapons.

Naval News – The Japanese Ministry of Defense has announced that the JS Chōkai (DDG-176) has completed crew training and ship modification, enabling the employment of RGM-109 Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles.

Naval News – On March 23, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) formally disbanded its long-standing “Fleet Escort Force” (護衛艦隊) and established a new “Fleet Surface Force” (水上艦隊), marking its most sweeping organizational overhaul since 1954.

National Interest – Diesel-electric submarines like the Taigei class offer Japan a fearsome weapon against China—at a fraction of the cost of cutting-edge American ones.

The Diplomat – In March 2026, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will undertake its most sweeping organizational restructuring since its establishment in 1954. The “Fleet Escort Force” (護衛艦隊), created in 1961 and long regarded as the backbone of Japan’s surface fleet, will be formally dissolved. In its place, the JMSDF will establish a new “Fleet Surface Force” (水上艦隊). At the same time, it will stand up an “Information Warfare/Operations Command” (情報作戦集団), integrating intelligence, cyber, and oceanographic functions into a unified operational nerve center.

The War Zone – One of the many capabilities of the new SSM is the ability to spiral during its attack run to help evade close-in gun systems.

USNI News – The U.S. and Japan have pledged to further expand joint training across Japan’s southwest region, including the first island chain, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Thursday.

Naval News – In December 2025, Japan responded in an unusual manner to activities conducted by Chinese Navy vessels in waters near Japan: JASDF F-2 fighters were observed with a combined total of 64 anti-ship missiles.

USNI News – The Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) will procure the next generation of Japanese anti-landing craft missiles next year as Tokyo prioritizes coastal defense systems to defend its southwestern islands.

The War Zone – Yonaguni Island recently hosted U.S. Marines and now Japan is looking to deploy air defenses there, which could expand to other kinetic capabilities.

The Diplomat – National preparedness for a cross-strait emergency has been far behind what is necessary.

CIMSEC – Recurring PLA operations and increased bilateral training with Russian military forces constitute a challenge backed by military threats close to Japan’s territorial waters.

Breaking Defense – China’s unprecedented deployment of two aircraft carrier groups this summer provided Japanese surveillance aircraft with a wealth of information about the ships, a Japanese official told Breaking Defense, though the People’s Liberation Army — Navy (PLAN) made sure it wasn’t too easy to gather.

Japanese Ministry of Defense – This year’s defense white paper from the Japanese MOD.

The War Zone – As well as a new sub-launched cruise missile, Japan will be getting upgraded versions of its Type 12 anti-ship missile for its surface combatants.

USNI News – Japan’s largest minelayer practiced defending a chain of strategic islands near Taiwan last week in what Tokyo described as a demonstration of “determination not to allow unilateral changes to the status quo by force.”

Naval News – The Japanese Ministry of Defense has revised the hull classification symbols for Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessels effective October 2024. The change adds two new symbols, “CG” and “CVM,” which will be applied to upcoming ship types.