Japan's Defense Minister has announced plans to set up about 130 ammunition storage facilities nationwide over the next 10 years as part of the government's efforts to boost its defense capabilities.
Hamada Yasukazu told the Upper House budget committee on Thursday that the government plans to build about 70 ammunition storage facilities across the country by March 2028. He said it also aims to set up an additional 60 ammunition storage facilities over the 10-year period.
The government had already hammered out a five-year plan to increase the number of ammunition storage facilities in the country when it compiled the National Defense Strategy last December.
The aim is to secure the capability of the Self-Defense Forces to systematically continue fighting in the event of contingencies.
Hamada told lawmakers that the government has not yet decided where to store standoff missiles that could be used for counterattacks.
He added that it is difficult for security reasons to reveal the details of what kinds of ammunition would be stored in the facilities. He said a disclosure could reveal the scope of the Self-Defense Forces' capabilities.