Japan's Defense Ministry is considering deploying hypersonic missiles by 2030 to strengthen deterrence by enhancing counterattack capabilities, the daily Nikkei newspaper reported.

Hypersonic missiles can fly at least five times faster than the speed of sound and along a complex trajectory that is difficult to intercept. Japan plans to revise its national security strategy as well as other key defense documents by the end of the year.

According to the Nikkei, these documents may refer to the country's position on counterattack capabilities and hypersonic missiles.

One idea is that Japan could deploy long-range missiles in three states, getting U.S. Tomahawks, which would be the first step in increasing its counterattack capabilities.

Japan could upgrade its Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles, increasing their range to more than 1,000 kilometers from the current less than 200 kilometers.

The adoption of a hypersonic missile is likely to be the third step.