[9] The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF; Chinese: 中国人民解放军火箭军; pinyin: Zhōngguó Rénmín Jiěfàngjūn Huǒjiàn Jūn) controls China's arsenal of land-based ballistic missiles—both nuclear and conventional.

[11] In an online article dated 13 January 2023, research associate Timothy Wright of the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) wrote that PRC has "significantly" boosted its strategic nuclear capabilities with ongoing upgrades to its submarine-launched and land-based nuclear forces, noting recent confirmation from recent official statements and published analysis from the U.S. Department of Defense.

[21] In December 2022, North Korea ground-tested a solid-propellant rocket motor for potential use on either a land-based or submarine-launched Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The launch triggered the Japanese emergency broadcast system, which alerted residents in the prefectures of Miyagi, Yamagata, and Niigata to stay indoors.

[31] On 13 April 2023, North Korea launched an additional missile, while residents of Hokkaido were told to seek immediate shelter following statements by Kim Jong-Un wherein he called for "more practical and offensive" capabilities.

[32] On 19 November 2023, ROK Defense Minister Shin Won-sik informed the Korean Broadcasting System that an anticipated third satellite launch by North Korea was expected by the end of that month.

[38][39][40] The installation sites are at a Ground Self-Defense Force training area in Araya District, Akita Prefecture and the Mutsumi training area in Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture (See Map, Red: BMD FPS-5 radar, Yellow: BMD FPS-3 Kai radar, Blue: Air Defense Group, Anchor: JMSDF Aegis destroyers).

[42][43] On 30 July 2018, Japan picked Lockheed Martin Corp to build a US$1.2 billion radar for two ground-based Aegis ballistic missile defense stations.

[44] On the same day, Japan's Defense Ministry considered to withdrawing PAC-3 missile interceptor units from the country's northern and western region amid an easing of tensions with North Korea.

Ministry officials noted that North Korea is less likely to fire ballistic missiles after it held a summit with the United States on the previous month.

[52] On 15 June 2020, Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono announced that work had been halted on the deployment of the Aegis Ashore system because additional costs would be needed to ensure that residential buildings would not be hit by rocket boosters used to launch the missiles.

[54] On 23 September 2020, Lockheed Martin noted the potential expense to convert the anti-aircraft (AA) system for maritime use since a revamp in the design is required.

The overall size offers enhanced habitability for its 110-person crew for extended deployments and relative simplicity in construction, and it is designed to provide a stable platform for its advanced sensors and weapon systems.

[72][73][74] Later, on 23 December 2022, the Japanese MOD released additional 2023 budget and program guidance, including the first official illustration of the ASEV warship (See article info-box.

[75][76][77][78] USNI news editor Sam LaGrone noted that the overall design of the ASEV warship was comparable to the U.S. Navy's next-generation DDG(X) guided-missile destroyer (pictured).

[75] According to its published budget overview, for Fiscal Year 2023, the Japanese Ministry of Defense allocated 22.8 billion yens (US$1.654 billion) for the initial procurement of advanced components for the ASEV program in order to "significantly improved BMD capability capable of responding to lofted and simultaneous ballistic missiles, as well as expandability for responding to HGVs and other such threats.

[80] On 19 December 2023, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara announced approval for the funding for the construction of Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEV) in Fiscal Year 2024 and FY 2025 to be commissioned in 2027 and 2028 respectively.

[81] This ASEV procurement decision was subsequently affirmed when the Japanese Cabinet approved the Ministry of Defense's budget for Fiscal Year 2024 on 22 December 2023.

This notification is a follow-up of a 2017 decision from U.S. Department of Defense that conditionally approved Japan, South Korea, and Australia to buy SM-6 missile systems.

[64][67] Also, the two ships will be equipped with the upgraded sea-based version of the Type-12 anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) system capable of striking land and naval targets with a range of around 1,000 km (540 nmi; 621 mi).

[89] The intent behind the JMSDF acquiring both long-range cruise missile systems is to act as a deterrent to North Korea, with the weapons able to strike naval and land targets.

[5][91] On 23 December 2022, the Japanese Ministry of Defense released its 2023 budget and program guidance that featured the first official illustration of the ASEV warship, revealing that its missile arsenal will use the Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (Mk 41 VLS) grouped in two locations, forward of the bridge deckhouse and aft above the helicopter hangar.

[33] On 28 March 2024, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced the start of Tomahawk missile training of JMSDF personnel by the United States Navy.

Initial training would take place onboard the guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG-85) based at United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka.

According to the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), UNICORN has a shape designed to reduce the radar cross section (RCS), which makes it stealthy.

It is currently being installed on the Mogami-class frigates entering service or under construction, and there is a possibility that they will be considered for integration into the proposed Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel program.

[75][76][77][78][81][95][96] Senior research fellow Brent Sadler of The Heritage Foundation criticized the proposed ASEV program, noting that the total of two units was insufficient to keep an AESV ship deployed continuously at sea.

Chang also mentioned that China has fitted its DF-21D missiles with maneuverable reentry vehicles that guide with terminal seekers to compensate and correct for any inaccurate targeting data.