Key Points: A viral social media post by an X user captured a Japanese hypersonic missile system, the Hyper-Velocity Sliding Projectile, being transported on a civilian highway.
-The sighting highlights Japan’s advanced military development and underscores the transparency—or potential oversight—in its operational security.
-The weapon, set to be operational by 2026, signifies Japan’s growing capabilities amidst regional tensions with China and North Korea.
-This program, which includes tests conducted in the U.S., reflects Japan’s shift toward enhancing its deterrent power.
-However, public exposure raises questions about security protocols and whether Japan should prioritize greater secrecy in future defense operations.
Civilian Catches Glimpse of Japanese Hypersonic Weapon
Defense analysis has changed significantly since the Cold War. In the old days before the internet, if you wanted the latest on military technology, you had to read Tom Clancy novels. Everything was classified.
Oh sure, there were some open-source reports, but without the World Wide Web, you had to poke and prod the federal government to get written information on defense systems.
Who had the time or ability to expend the effort?
It is the same with militaries overseas. The only people privy to foreign weapons programs were intelligence analysts from the Department of Defense and the CIA.
Hypersonic Missile: What Did This X User See?
Now, with social media, anyone can be a military expert, and you can share your findings with the world.
The latest eagle-eyed armchair defense analyst grabbed something you don’t see every day – a photo of a Japanese mobile hypersonic missile launcher scooting down a civilian highway.
You Mean This Weapon Was On a Civilian Highway?
On September 29, an X user with the complicated and mysterious name “1ZZ-FETaz” posted a photo of a Japanese Hyper-Velocity Sliding Projectile.
駿河湾沼津サービスエリア下りで、430休憩中〜 なんか、自衛隊の車両がいたぞ〜
カッケェ〜👍 pic.twitter.com/j0QRgwgrAp— Taz3 (@1zz_fetaz) September 30, 2024
Although it is not supposed to be ready for test launches, it is ahead of schedule. The projectile already had a successful test in July.
The X account said the weapon was spotted while “Taking a break on the 430 at the Suruga Bay Numazu Service Area. I saw a Self-Defense Force vehicle. Cool.”
The Suruga Bay Numazu Service area in Shizuoka is a motorist rest stop on the south coast of Japan. This user snapped a photo of the hypersonic weapon on a road-mobile launcher covered by camouflage netting.
The photo on X has been viewed countless times, so it went viral. That’s not bad for the user, who only has 88 followers on X.
Is This a Security Breach That Is a Cause for Alarm?
The hypersonic weapon will be operational with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in 2026, which is sooner than expected.
It shows that the Japanese have one of the most advanced militaries in the region. And they are fearless of whether the general public sees it or not. It is unclear if the Japanese self-defense force is alarmed by the social media post, but it failed if it wanted secrecy for the program.
Hypersonic Missile Sample Image VIA DARPA.
I’m sure the Chinese and the North Koreans saw the post and reacted with some alarm.
Weapons Program with Global Reach
Another interesting aspect of Japan’s hypersonic weapons program is that it is testing weapons in the United States. According to Defence-Blog.com, the country has “conducted two successful tests of a hypersonic glide vehicle earlier in the year in California. “
What Does This Mean Geopolitically?
China has leaped ahead of the United States in hypersonic weapons, but the Americans are catching up.
Now, Japan has its own program showing that “Self-defense” may become “offense” someday if China continues its belligerence in the region.
Japan probably has the best military in the Indo-Pacific, even rivaling Australia and North Korea in quality if not quantity.
Shouldn’t the Japanese Be More Secretive?
Now, about that photo.
Why would Japan transport what should be a Top Secret weapon on a civilian highway during the daytime? This was necessary to transport to another area of operations for future testing. But why not place it on a cargo plane to hide it from prying eyes?
Tsirkon Hypersonic Missile. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The photo went viral. The Japanese military should know everyone has a camera phone and a social media account so much for operational security.
Thankfully, the weapon was under a cargo net, so it is difficult to distinguish all the features.
We’ll keep an eye on the Japanese hypersonic weapons program. The rocket force will probably not put out such a public display of transport in the future.
However, it will be interesting to see how Tokyo can develop its hypersonic missile program, keep up with Beijing and Pyongyang, or eclipse the Chinese and North Koreans in hypersonic development.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
The main image is of a Mako hypersonic missile artist rendering.
