Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s first Aegis ship Chokai, equipped with Tomahawk missile capabilities, returns to its home port of Nagasaki

(Central News Agency, Tokyo, 31st comprehensive foreign news report) Japan's Aegis ship "Chomi" has been modified to acquire the ability to launch US-made "Tomahawk" cruise missiles, and returned to its home port of Nagasaki, Japan yesterday. "Chomi" is the first ship of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to obtain the capability to launch Tomahawk missiles.

Japan's TBS TV station reported that the Chokai successfully test-fired the Tomahawk cruise missile in the Pacific last month after being refitted in March this year. The Ministry of Defense (equivalent to the Ministry of Defense) later plans to purchase 400 Tomahawk missiles from the United States, but it is unclear when the specific deployment will take place.

The Tomahawk cruise missile has a range of approximately 1,600 kilometers.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported today that the Chokai returned to the Sasebo base in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan yesterday morning and docked at the dock where American and Japanese warships were juxtaposed.

A large number of relatives and friends of the sailors of the Chokai also greeted the Chokai in coastal areas and at observation decks overlooking the base yesterday. The ship returned to Japan after nearly a year and received a homecoming ceremony.

"Chomi" Captain Shin Tanaka also said, "Acquiring the ability to launch Tomahawk missiles is an important task for our country's security. I am very happy to report that the mission has been completed and that all crew members have returned home safely."

Chief of Staff Satoshi Saito, the supreme commander of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, said at a regular press conference on the 25th of this month, "The knowledge and experience gained this time are valuable assets for improving the overall capabilities of the Maritime Self-Defense Force." Satoshi Saito happened to be born in Sasebo City.