North Korea has warned it will make “new military choices” against Japan following Tokyo’s recent test of a Tomahawk cruise missile. The statement came from Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, after Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force launched a Tomahawk missile from the destroyer Chokai in the Pacific Ocean.

According to North Korea’s state news agency KCNA, Kim Yo-jong also referenced other missile tests by Japan and its participation in a United States-led military exercise in the Philippines in May. She accused Japan of trying to “conceal its ambition to become a military power” and blamed the United States for encouraging what she described as “dangerous military moves.” Kim stated that North Korea would “establish additional military options” in response to Japan’s actions, but did not specify what measures might be taken.

Japan’s Tomahawk Missile Acquisition

The Tomahawk cruise missile, developed in the United States and in service since the 1980s, is known for its long range of approximately 1,600 kilometers and its ability to fly at low altitudes, making it difficult to detect. Japan plans to invest $1 billion to acquire 400 Tomahawk missiles by March 2028, marking a significant expansion of its strike capabilities. The recent test was Japan’s first with this type of missile, highlighting a shift in its defense posture.

Tomahawk missiles are typically launched from ships or submarines, and while the U.S. Army is developing a ground-based platform, it is not yet operational. The missile’s precision guidance and ability to strike distant or hostile targets have made it a key asset in the U.S. arsenal, and now Japan seeks to bolster its own deterrence with this technology.

North Korea’s warning underscores rising tensions in East Asia, as regional powers respond to evolving military strategies and alliances involving the United States and its partners.