According to Japanese media reports, as the fiscal year 2025 (April 2025 to March 2026) approaches, the Japanese Self Defense Forces are accelerating the expansion of their missile inventory through various means, including the upcoming delivery and deployment of the improved Type 12 anti-ship missile. According to reports, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will deliver the first batch of improved Type 12 anti-ship missiles to the Japan Self Defense Forces as planned. Compared to the original model launched in 2012 with a range of only 200 kilometers, the improved Type 12 anti-ship missile has undergone multiple technological upgrades: the range has been increased to 900 kilometers, allowing the Japanese Self Defense Forces to launch attacks on maritime targets at a longer distance, and it has initially acquired the so-called "out of zone strike capability"; The use of foldable wing and X-shaped tail design reduces the radar cross section of the missile and enhances its breakthrough capability; Equipped with a data link system, the missile can receive real-time target information during flight, further improving strike accuracy. The improved Type 12 anti-ship missile has the function of "one missile for multiple uses", which can pose a threat to large surface vessels such as aircraft carriers and destroyers. It can also strike fixed land targets such as ports and airports by replacing the guidance head module. According to the Japan Self Defense Forces plan, starting from fiscal year 2025, more than 1000 improved Type 12 anti-ship missiles will be received and deployed. The specific deployment plan has not yet been announced, but the Japanese Ministry of Defense has mentioned that the southwestern islands and Kyushu region will be the main deployment areas. Given that the Japanese Self Defense Forces have previously deployed the original Type 12 anti-ship missiles in Okinawa Island, Ishigaki Island, Miyako Island, and Amami Oshima, it is highly likely that the improved missiles will be the first to replace the original models in these areas. In addition to the domestically produced improved Type 12 anti-ship missile, the first batch of Tomahawk cruise missiles purchased by Japan from the United States will also be delivered. In 2024, Japan and the United States signed a procurement contract for a total of 400 American made Tomahawk cruise missiles, with the first batch being an old version model scheduled for delivery in the 2025 fiscal year. Japan originally planned to purchase all the latest "Tomahawk" Block V cruise missiles. But in October 2023, in order to receive orders earlier than the 2025 fiscal year, the Japanese side changed some orders to the old version of the Block IV model. In terms of deployment planning, Japan plans to retrofit the existing 8 Aegis destroyers of the Maritime Self Defense Force to become launch platforms for Tomahawk cruise missiles. The 2024 Japanese defense budget already includes funding for the integration of Tomahawk cruise missiles into shipborne vertical launch systems. The combination of Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of over 1000 kilometers and destroyers with strong maneuverability will enhance Japan's long-range strike capability. In addition, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency recently announced that the US State Department has approved the sale of 150 "Standard" -6 Block I missiles to Japan, with a contract amount of $900 million. This military sale covers vehicle launch system shipping boxes, components and support equipment, as well as testing and handling equipment. In the future, the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force can deploy this missile on destroyers equipped with the Aegis system. With the upcoming mass delivery of multiple types of missiles, Japan's ammunition depot upgrade plan has also received attention in building a multi-level deterrence system. Japan will build 130 large ammunition depots by 2035, and the first batch of depots has already started construction. In the southwest direction of the ammunition depot construction plan, it is clearly stated that 5 new depots will be built in Okinawa and 3 new depots will be built in Kagoshima, which is likely to include warehouses for storing improved Type 12 anti-ship missiles. Analysts point out that Japan is intensifying its stockpile of anti-ship missiles with the aim of "replacing defense with attack" and attempting to build a multi-level deterrence system by enhancing long-range strike capabilities. Its strategic intention is mainly reflected in two aspects. Firstly, Japan is attempting to quickly develop a combat capability capable of clamping down on oceanic channels. A multi million dollar anti-ship missile can cause significant damage to expensive warships, thus possessing the advantage of 'asymmetric warfare'. Secondly, Japan is eager to quickly establish its own strategic strike capability. Japan purchases American made missiles such as the Tomahawk, but Japanese public opinion generally believes that the Tomahawk is only a transitional choice, and developing high-performance domestically produced missiles is the ultimate goal. Therefore, Japan regards the upgrade and transformation of the Type 12 anti-ship missile as a technology incubation test project for the localization of medium and long-range cruise missiles. At present, the new land-based anti-ship missile is in the second stage of extended range improvement, and sea based and air based versions are also being developed simultaneously. In the future, Japan intends to use domestically produced missiles to create a so-called 'attack capability on enemy bases'. With the assistance of the improved Type 12 anti-ship missile, Japan's anti-ship strike and deterrence capabilities in key waters may be improved to a certain extent. However, anti-ship weapons are a complex system engineering that requires strong intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities as support. At present, Japan's space reconnaissance and intelligence gathering capabilities are relatively limited. In this context, Japan is highly likely to further strengthen intelligence sharing with the US military and seek support from the US in various aspects such as intelligence collection, surveillance, target identification, relay guidance, and combat training. With the coordinated operation of the Japan Self Defense Forces' Integrated Operations Command and the US Joint Command in Japan, the Southwest anti-ship missile system that Japan is building will also be incorporated into the US military's combat duty system, with its warning system and combat "switch" actually in the hands of the US military. Japan's significant increase in missile inventory in the 2025 fiscal year has become an uncertain factor affecting regional stability, and the related trends deserve attention and vigilance from the international community. (New Society)