Could US Tomahawk missile delivery delays slow Japan’s long-range strike plans?

A reported US delay in delivering hundreds of Tomahawk cruise missiles could slow Japan’s plans to give its military a long-range strike option, analysts said, exposing a potential gap between Tokyo’s new defence ambitions and Washington’s ability to supply the weapons.The missiles are central to Japan’s effort to build a counterstrike capability, giving it the ability to hit enemy bases if the country comes under threat, as Tokyo rethinks its defence posture in response to a more uncertain regional security environment.But analysts said the setback, if confirmed, could also give Tokyo an opening to push for a bigger role in producing US-designed weapons, including through licensing deals with Japanese manufacturers.