Japan’s First Tomahawk Cruise Missile Destroyer Back from U.S.

JS Chokai (DDG-176) fires a Tomahawk missile for the first time on July 29, 2026. Japan Ministry of Defense photo Japanese destroyer JS Chokai (DDG-176) returned on Sunday to its homeport of Sasebo, Japan, after one year in the U.S. being outfitted to be Tomahawk cruise missile capable.

Chokai departed Sept. 25, 2025, from Yokosuka Naval Base for San Diego following pre-deployment training and preparation. Crew training and modification work on the destroyer for Tomahawk operations began in October with the modification work completed in late March, USNI News reported. Chokai conducted a live firing of a Tomahawk missile on July 29, validating the crew and ship’s ability to operate the missile.

In a press conference on Aug. 25, chief of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Adm. Akira Saito said that the service will continue to steadily advance efforts toward the early establishment of stand-off defense capabilities.

JS Chokai (DDG-176) returned on Aug. 30, 2026, to its homeport of Sasebo, Japan. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force photo “I believe that the insights and experience gained from this deployment are not limited to the Chokai alone but will serve as a valuable asset to be utilized in enhancing the capabilities of future vessels equipped with Tomahawk launch capabilities, as well as the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as a whole,” Saito said, according to a transcript.

The JMSDF chief said that though the ship was not continuously at sea, Chokai’s deployment was the longest period away for a JMSDF ship. Prior to Chokai’s deployment to the U.S, the longest a Japanese ship was deployed was six months. To alleviate the burden on the crew, the Japanese government paid for crew to stay off the ship as well as to return to Japan during periods when they were not required.

“I believe these measures were implemented for the first time on this mission. We have learned the lesson that such measures will be necessary when conducting similar long-term deployments in the future,” Saito said.

Japan plans to have its remaining seven Aegis destroyers, as well as two Aegis System Equipped Vessels destroyers under construction, also operate the Tomahawks. Japan is procuring a total of 400 Tomahawk missiles, according to a contract signed in January 2024. The Tomahawk deliveries are proceeding as scheduled, according to Japan Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.

The acquisition of the Tomahawks is part of Japan’s counterattack capability plan outlined in its 2022 National Defense Strategy, which emphasized acquisition of long-range, standoff weapons to allow the island country to strike invading forces from a distance. Japan has stressed that its long range weapons would only be used in defense against an armed attack.

JS Chokai (DDG 176) fires a Tomahawk missile for the first time on July 29, 2026. Japan Ministry of Defense photo “It remains unchanged that Japan’s defense capabilities – including stand-off missiles – constitute the minimum necessary defensive force for self-defense, to be exercised only in the event of an armed attack by an adversary, and do not pose a threat to other nations,”Koizumi said in a post-Cabinet meeting press conference on Friday ahead of Chokai’s return.

The Japanese Defense Minister was also asked whether U.S. President Donald Trump, who had ordered U.S.-South Korea exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 2026 to be scaled back, had given similar orders for the U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral exercise Freedom Shield 2026 scheduled from Sept. 7-11. The Japanese Defense Minister declined to comment.

“While we are aware of the remarks made by President Trump that you mentioned, we will refrain from commenting on each specific point. In any case, the Ministry of Defense intends to continue strengthening trilateral cooperation among Japan, the United States and South Korea through this exercise,” Koizumi said.

Japan’s Joint Staff Office on the same day announced details of the exercise, including that it would take place in the international waters and airspace in the East China Sea west of Japan’s main island of Kyushu.

The JSO also stated that Japan’s participation will consist of approximately 560 personnel from the Japan Joint Staff, Japan Self-Defense Force Joint Operations Command, JMSDF Self Defense Fleet, Japan Air Self-Defense Force Air Defense Command, JASDF Air Support Command and Japan Cyber Defense Command. Additionally, destroyers JS Asahi (DD-119) and JS Atago (DDG-177) and JMSDF P-1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, SH-60K helicopters, JASDF F-15 and F-2 fighter aircraft, E-767 and E-2D Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and KC-46A and KC-767 tanker aircraft will participate.

Both the U.S. and South Korea have not released any details of their forces being deployed for the drills. U.S. Forces Japan said in a Thursday release that this year’s iteration features enhanced real-time data sharing and synchronized coordination among all three nations to defend against evolving regional threats and will also incorporate multi-national maritime and aviation capabilities and introduce enhanced air defense scenarios, medical evacuation training and maritime interdiction operations.

Freedom Edge 2026 is the fourth iteration of the trilateral exercise that began in 2024 following a commitment by the three countries during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June of 2024. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group headed the drills in June of 2024 and the George Washington CSG led the drills in November of 2024. Last year’s exercise was led by U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) and destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-52).

Royal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG42) in Guam on Aug. 31, 2026, for Pacific Vanguard. US Naval Base Guam photo In Guam on Sunday, maritime forces from the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Republic of Korea Navy and U.S. Navy began maritime exercise Pacific Vanguard 2026, which runs until Sept.11.

According to a U.S. Navy news release, participating ships and units include JMSDF destroyer JS Fuyuzuki (DD-118), a JMSDF submarine and a P-1 MPA, ROKN maritime staff support, RAN destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG42), RCN frigate HMCS Regina (FFH334), an RNZAF P-8 Poseidon MPA, dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) and a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon MPA.

“Focused on enhancing combined interoperability, Pacific Vanguard 2026 will hone core maritime skills in a series of exercises training high-end warfighting capabilities across multiple domains,” reads the release.