Pentagon Withdraws Typhon Systems from Japanese Base Following Regional Backlash

The US military has removed the ground-based Typhon mobile launchers from the Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station in Japan, installations whose deployment had drawn objections from both Russia and China. The systems are capable of firing medium-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, among others, Kyoto Shimbun reported.

Launchers remained in Japan weeks longer than expected

The Typhon systems were brought to Japan for the September Resolute Dragon joint US-Japanese military exercises. They were originally expected to be removed after the drills concluded on September 25. However, as of November 10, they were still stationed at the base — a prolonged stay that caused growing concern among local civic organizations.

According to Kyoto Shimbun, a group of activists from the prefectures of Hiroshima and Yamaguchi sent a letter to Japan’s Defense Ministry on November 10 demanding immediate action to ensure the Typhon systems were taken off Japanese soil without delay.

Japan confirms removal, but reasons for delay remain unclear

On November 17, the ministry informed the Iwakuni city administration that the previously postponed withdrawal had been completed. Kyoto Shimbun notes that the reason behind the delay was not disclosed.

The Typhon system is a mobile ground launcher designed to fire Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of roughly 2,000 km, as well as SM-6 multipurpose missiles with ranges up to 500 km. It was developed specifically for use across the Indo-Pacific region.

Resolute Dragon exercises marked the first deployment of Typhon in Japan

The Resolute Dragon exercises took place across Japan — including areas on the island of Hokkaido — from September 11 to 25. The two-week maneuvers involved about 19,000 troops from both nations. Although it was the first time American launchers were stationed on Japanese territory, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces emphasized before the drills that no missile launches from Typhon would be carried out.

Russia and China voice their concerns

In late October, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that it had expressed concern to the Japanese Embassy in Moscow about the continued presence of the Typhon battery on the archipelago. The ministry warned that Russia “reserves the right to take necessary compensatory measures to ensure an adequate level of its security.”

The installations also alarmed Beijing. China’s Foreign Ministry called on the United States and Japan to “immediately remove” the systems from Japanese islands.