US and Japan to Establish Missile Assembly Facilities in Japan, Sparking Debate on Pacifism and Deterrence

A recent agreement between the Japanese and U.S. governments to establish new production and assembly facilities in Japan for defense equipment, including air-to-air missiles for fighter jets, has garnered widespread attention. While the move aims to bolster defense capabilities and reinforce the deterrence of the Japan-U.S. alliance, it has ignited fierce debate domestically over the shift in national security policy and potential regional risks.

According to reports, the two defense chiefs agreed to build a domestic facility in Japan for the final assembly and testing of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), which is deployed on advanced stealth fighters such as the F-35. Furthermore, the allies are expected to ramp up production of the SM-3 Block IIA interceptor missile used in ballistic missile defense and strengthen frameworks for sharing related technical data.

The agreement comes amid rising tensions in East Asia, growing concerns over a potential crisis across the Taiwan Strait, and a global supply crunch for munitions and defense hardware spurred by the ongoing war in Ukraine. By jointly expanding their production and replenishment capacity, the U.S. and Japan intend to secure sustained readiness and credible deterrence in the region.

However, the announcement has triggered heated controversy on social media. Critics express strong concerns, arguing that the initiative contradicts the pacifist principles enshrined in Article 9 of Japan’s Constitution, and warning that hosting defense manufacturing hubs could make surrounding communities prime targets for attacks or terrorism in the event of a conflict. Many have also criticized the government for advancing major defense shifts without sufficient public debate.

On the other hand, defense experts and officials note that Japan has long manufactured domestic guided missiles, such as the Type 99 air-to-air missile (AAM-4). From their perspective, the plan is a logical extension of existing defense frameworks and an essential step to enhance domestic sustainability and self-reliance in arms procurement during contingencies.

With defense cooperation entering a pivotal era—accelerated by recent revisions to Japan's Three Principles on Defense Equipment Transfers—the government faces the challenge of balancing robust deterrence with broad public consensus, underscoring the urgent need for transparent explanations and thorough parliamentary debate.

The Context

Since the end of World War II, Japan has maintained a strictly defense-oriented posture anchored by Article 9 of its Constitution, which renounces war and the maintenance of war potential. Over decades, strict self-imposed restrictions on weapon exports and co-development were kept in place. However, driven by an increasingly assertive China, North Korea's advancing missile capabilities, and the vulnerabilities exposed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Japan updated its National Security Strategy in late 2022. The revision included pledges to significantly boost defense spending and develop counterstrike capabilities. Easing restrictions on co-producing and transferring military equipment with allies like the United States represents a historic turning point in Japan’s post-war defense posture, making defense industrial policy a deeply sensitive and contested topic among the Japanese public.