JMSDF conducts first firing of Tomahawk missile

JMSDF Kongo-class destroyer JS Chōkai , seen here firing a Tomahawk missile for the first time on 29 July 2026. It marks the service's first firing of the Tomahawk. (Japan Ministry of Defense)

Japan has carried out its first firing of the Tomahawk cruise missile.

The milestone was marked by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Kongo-class destroyer JS Chōkai, the country's Ministry of Defense (MoD) said in an announcement on 30 July.

The firing took place on 29 July with support from the US Navy, said the ministry. Chōkai has been in the US since 2025 to undergo modifications and other preparations to incorporate the Tomahawk missile capability.

With the inaugural live firing, the ship's ability to launch the missile and the proficiency of its crew to operate the capability is now confirmed, said the MoD in its statement.

Additionally, the ministry stated that the firing demonstrates the steady pace in Japan's Tomahawk acquisition programme and supports ongoing efforts to establish stand-off defence capabilities for the JMSDF.

An image released by the MoD with the statement depicts a Tomahawk missile being launched from Chōkai's vertical launching system (VLS), which is located in the forward section just ahead of the bridge.

An orange band can be seen around the missile, which suggests that the weapon is equipped with telemetry data collection instruments in its payload.

In its statement, the MoD did not give any further details of the round that was fired but said that Chōkai is expected to return to Japan in September 2026.

Earlier in March 2026, the MoD announced that Chōkai had become the first JMSDF vessel to complete ship modifications and crew training required for Tomahawk operations.