Missile system shown to local residents at GSDF base in Kumamoto

Kumamoto – The Japanese Defense Ministry’s Kyushu Bureau showed local residents its long-range Type-25 surface-to-ship guided missile system for the first time at the Ground Self-Defense Force’s Camp Kengun in Kumamoto City on Saturday.

The display included launchers and ammunition transport vehicles for the long-range missiles, which were deployed to the base in March. The event was initially scheduled for August but was postponed due to a major earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture in July.

“It was big,” Akihiko Nishiguchi, 72, a resident of the city’s Higashi Ward, said of the weapons. “I thought it was impressive equipment.”

“There are things one can’t understand without seeing them,” said Seishi Taguchi, 77, of the city’s Chuo Ward, who visited with his wife. “I hope there will continue to be opportunities for residents to view the equipment, as well as explanations about it, including its potential risks.”

The Type-25 missile has a range of about 1,000 kilometers, putting coastal areas of mainland China within range from Kumamoto. The missile system is slated to be deployed during the Keen Sword joint exercise by the SDF and the U.S. military set for later this month.

The missile system was partially shown to Takashi Kimura, governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, and others in March, ahead of its deployment to Camp Kengun. Kimura had requested that the Defense Ministry “provide a variety of explanations to residents.”