Post by : Jyoti Gupta

Photo:AP

For the first time ever, Japan has tested a missile on its own land. This test happened on Hokkaido, the country’s northern island. The missile used was the Type 88, which is made to hit enemy ships from land. It was shot at an empty boat about 40km away in the sea.

Usually, Japan tests missiles in countries like the United States or Australia because they have more space and fewer safety risks. But this time, Japan chose to do it at home to train its soldiers and prepare for threats nearby.

Some people in Japan are not happy about the test. Protesters stood near the army base saying that testing weapons could cause more problems and raise tensions with other countries.

Japan is building up its military because it is worried about China’s growing navy and also joint drills between China and Russia near Japanese waters. Japan and Russia also have disagreements about some nearby islands.

Even though Japan’s Constitution after World War II said the country should only defend itself, that rule changed in 2022. Japan now has a new plan to make its military stronger and closer to the U.S., especially by getting long-range missiles like the American Tomahawk.

Japan is also working on its own Type 12 missile, which can go 10 times farther than the Type 88. The country plans to build a new missile range on Minamitorishima, a small island far out in the Pacific Ocean, where Chinese warships were recently seen.