Rumors are swirling that the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Aegis destroyer Chokai is about to get a major upgrade. The Defense Ministry is reportedly planning to add a function that would allow the ship to launch U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, marking a significant shift in Japan’s defense strategy.
To support this plan, the ministry has requested a hefty ¥1.8 billion ($12.3 million) in the government’s fiscal 2025 budget. Once equipped, the Chokai, currently stationed at the MSDF’s Sasebo base in Nagasaki Prefecture, will become the first Japanese Aegis destroyer with the capability to launch counterstrikes.
This move aligns with the government’s National Security Strategy, which emphasizes the importance of Japan possessing counterstrike capabilities. As tensions continue to simmer in the region, this upgrade could be a game-changer for Japan’s defense posture.