India, March 10 -- Japan is preparing to deploy its first batch of domestically developed long-range missiles, with their launchers arriving at an army camp on Monday as the country accelerates its offensive capability in response to rising challenges in the region.

The upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missiles will be deployed at Camp Kengun in Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto by the end of March, completing the process of deployment, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said.

Army vehicles carrying their launchers and other equipment arrived early in the morning in a highly secretive mission criticised by local residents who protested outside the camp.

Opponents have complained about the lack of transparency and said the dep...