Japan launches first Tomahawk missile from destroyer JS Chōkai

Japan's Ministry of Defense announced that the missile destroyer JS Chōkai (DDG‑176) successfully fired an RGM‑109 Tomahawk cruise missile during a test at a United States naval range. The launch completes the ship's modification and certification to employ Tomahawk missiles, a capability previously limited to the United States. Japan now joins Australia and the Netherlands as the only non‑U.S. nations operating Tomahawks from surface warships.

The test, carried out by a Japanese crew, was supported by the U.S. Navy, which provided the range and safety oversight. JS Chōkai is scheduled to return to its home port in Sasebo in September 2026. The Japanese government has earmarked roughly $694 million for FY 2026 to equip five Aegis‑equipped destroyers with Tomahawk capability, with further modernization planned for the rest of the fleet.

The achievement marks a significant step in Japan’s broader naval modernization program, expanding the long‑range strike options of its Maritime Self‑Defense Force.