Japan is arming a warship with US missiles that can hit targets up to 1,000 miles away as Pacific arms race heats up

Question

A Japanese warship is on the way to the United States to be fitted with Tomahawk cruise missiles, the latest move by Washington and its Asian allies to beef up firepower as adversaries like China and North Korea expand theirs.

The JS Chokai, an Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyer, is steaming to the US for a year-long deployment during which the ship will undergo modifications – and crew training – to enable it to launch the Tomahawks, maneuverable cruise missiles with a range of about 1,000 miles.

Answer 1

A Japanese warship is not only on it's way to the U.S. to acquire 400 tomahawk cruise missiles, but also to have modifications made to it so that it can carry said missiles. Japan does not specifically say they are bolstering defenses for the purpose of protecting against China and North Korea, instead claiming this move, "will strengthen its stand-off defense capabilities in order to disrupt and defeat the forces invading Japan early and from far away." https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2024/01/299f89b579bc56b706c608aba948a20bfe3c2335.html

I found a statement from the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD) verifying their purchase of said missiles in Jan 2024, "We are pleased to announce that we have concluded a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for the acquisition of Tomahawk missiles and related equipment with United States Government under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement" https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2024/01/299f89b579bc56b706c608aba948a20bfe3c2335.html

Comments

I like the way you referred to the statement released by the Japanese Ministry of Defense last year to verify the evidence supporting the fact. I found their statement, announced on Sep, 25, 2025, which explains the news in detail.

Answer 2

Think of this as your investigation log. Answer each question to explain what you discovered and how you got there.

1. All the sources provide generally the same information, that Japan is scrambling to improve their maritime defense due to rising Indo-pacific tensions. Japan maritime defense is working with the Navy to train to use their new Tomahawk addition to their ships.
2. 

https://x.com/Defence_Index/status/1973508447841952221

This X post from Defense Index announces the first ship from Japan had arrived in the US for improvements. (October 1, 2025)

https://x.com/InsightGL/status/160704372465117184

This X post from Insight GeoPolitics announces the Tomahawk trade with Japan and that it will be completed within the years 2023-2027. (December 25, 2022)
3. Business Insider says that this is an offensive move for Japan to have tomahawk missles loaded in their warships. They note that Japan is doing this because of rising tensions with China regarding the Indo-Pacific ocean area.

 https://www.businessinsider.com/japans-warships-getting-tomahawks-big-leap-in-offensive-power-2025-10

The War Zone says that the addition of tomahawks to their ships is Japan was moved up a year because of the rising tensions with China. Japan wanted to be more prepared for any kind of invasion or attack in the Indo-Pacific regions.

https://www.twz.com/air/first-japanese-destroyer-heads-to-u-s-for-tomahawk-missile-modifications

4. Business Insider is committed to relaying information that affects global business and technology. They have a more of a business outlook on the situation and might have American economic interests in mind since their headquarters are in the Financial District in New York City. The War Zone is more of a national organization committed to journaling about what could affect American military. Their perspective would align with what the American military thinks of the tomahawk development.

5. Both sources say that the tomahawks will be handed over to Japan by March of 2026. Both sources note that the reasoning for this process is the rising tensions with China in the Indo-pacific area. Both sources cite that the missiles can be used for "standoff defense" and to strengthen Japanese bond with U.S. Navy.

6. There isn't a mention of North Korea in either of the articles only China. North Korea is in the Indo-Pacific area so that would add up but no mention of tensions with them in either article. CNN mentions how China flaunted their arsenal in a military parade, but neither of the articles mention anything about Chinas arsenal.
 

Comments

You did good referencing various sources and describing their findings regarding Japan's Tomahawk program. I like the way you indicated that Japan is accelerating the plan due to tensions with China, according to both Business Insider and The War Zone. You could say that every source could have its own perspective, such as how The War Zone emphasizes the military and Business Insider emphasizes business. Because Japan states the move is for defense, you could wonder if it is even worth whether or not to think of it as "offensive."

Answer 3

A Japanese warship is headed to the US. According to another article, it is headed to San Diego, California, in order to receive modifications, including those that are able to fit Tomahawk cruise missiles. The missiles also do seem to be implemented as an early attempt to increase fire power.

“The Ministry of Defense values ​​this U.S. deployment and training as evidence of steady progress in the Tomahawk program and will continue to work toward the early establishment of stand-off defense capabilities,” reads the MOD release."

The article then seems to insinuate that Japan is sending these warships to ward of China and North Korea, but does not show proof.

"Originally Japan planned for acquisition of the Tomahawks in Fiscal Year 2026 but bumped the date forward by one year, citing the “increasingly severe security environment around Japan,” which is the Japanese government’s standard term on its defense and security concerns regarding the actions and potential actions of Russia, China and North Korea."

https://news.usni.org/2025/09/29/japans-destroyer-chokai-en-route-to-san-diego-for-tomahawk-training

Answer 4

The claim that the Japanese are arming their warship the JS Chokai with US missiles is true. Japan is increasing it military capabilities "in light of growing threats, the Japanese government has undertaken a thorough review of its security documents and policies. This effort culminated in 2022 with the issuance of new guidance and three key security documents aimed at strengthening Japan’s defense and national security" (Walters 27 May. 2025).  Finally in 2024, a contract was signed with the United States to equip it's warships with Tomahawk cruise missiles, an American long-range, all-weather, jet-powered, subsonic cruise missile, used by the United States Navy (National Interest 10 Oct. 2025). With growing threats like China and Russia, Japan has taken the progression of their military capabilities more serious. On top of the US tomahawks, these ships will also be equipped with better modifications (USNI News 29 Sep. 2025).

In conclusion, yes the Japanese warship, the JS Chokai will be armed with US missiles and will undergo other modifications to be able to increase their military capabilities and defend themselves if they need to.