The ship is being built by Japan Marine United in Yokohama and is scheduled to enter service in 2028. The units of the ASEV program will be the largest missile platforms in the history of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Japan Marine United (JMU) has begun construction of the program’s second ship ASEV (Aegis System Equipped Vessel), a project that will give Japan two of the most powerful naval platforms ever planned for its missile defense. According to the journalist Takahashi Kosuke Construction began on February 5, 2026 at the company’s shipyard facilities in Yokohama.
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According to the planned schedule, the new ship is scheduled to be launched in 2027 and join the fleet in 2028. Japan’s strategy relies on simultaneous construction in different shipyards to speed up delivery of both units and strengthen the effectiveness of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force more quickly.
The first ship of this class is already at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagasaki under construction. This schedule runs parallel to that of the second unit, which is expected to enter service between the financial years 2027 and 2028. Japan is thus pursuing the goal of expanding its defense capability in the face of growing ballistic threats in the region.
The future ASEV ships are among Japan’s most ambitious naval projects in recent decades. The units were designed as a sea-based alternative to the canceled Aegis Ashore program and are intended primarily to defend against ballistic missiles. They will also be equipped with the AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar and the Aegis combat system, which are among the central elements of Tokyo’s planned missile defense architecture.
In addition to their strategic role, the size of the ships is also striking. The units of the ASEVprogram are considered the largest missile platforms ever designed for the Japanese Navy, exceeding the size of the force’s current Aegis destroyers. Recent industry sources cite a displacement of 12,000 to 14,000 tons, depending on the criteria used in technical publications.
As the program progresses, Japan is reaffirming its move toward extensive sea-based defense at a time of growing concerns about regional security and the need to maintain continuous surveillance against missile threats.
Source and images: Takahashi Kosuke – News.jp / Lockheed Martin. This content was created using AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
