Why Japan’s Hypersonic and Underwater Weapon Plans Might Worry China The Japanese defense ministry's plans to arm submarine drones with long range missiles and test hypersonic weapons in Australia have drawn significant attention from Beijing.
The Chinese response is not surprising, given the implications of these developments for regional stability and the potential military balance.
Japan's emphasis on "counterstrike capability" – a concept introduced in 2022 – allows it to rapidly expand its long range strike capabilities.