politics
March 25, 2026
The new missile buildup in East Asia: Three strategies take shape
Facing pressure from China and North Korea, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are building distinct missile strategies in a rapidly shifting security landscape
TL;DR
- Japan, previously constrained by post-WWII policies, is developing long-range cruise and hypersonic missiles in response to China and North Korea.
- South Korea has no missile technology restrictions and is developing a full-spectrum missile force, including the powerful Hyunmoo-5 "bunker buster" and hypersonic missiles.
- Taiwan is focusing on an asymmetric strategy, developing long-range anti-ship missiles to counter potential Chinese naval threats.
- These developments by Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan reflect a shared perception of escalating risk and are reshaping the military balance in East Asia.
- The increasing range, speed, and flexibility of these missile systems compress response times and raise the stakes of miscalculation in the region.
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