For the first time on its own soil, Japan has conducted a land-to-ship missile test as part of efforts to bolster its military capability in response to China’s growing threats. The missile, identified as Type-88, was launched by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force from a training site on Hokkaido Island, targeting waters off the Pacific coast. Typically, such tests are held on U.S. bases, but due to high costs, this one was carried out domestically. Japan described the test as an essential training exercise.