Why is this US ally practicing to sink Chinese ships while its own fleet remains wildly outgunned?

Japan has showcased its growing long-range maritime strike capability by firing ASM-2 anti-ship missiles from an F-2A fighter during a major multinational live-fire exercise near Guam. The drill, involving U.S. and allied forces, demonstrated an integrated anti-ship kill chain featuring Japanese, American, and New Zealand assets. Analysts see the exercise as a strategic signal to China amid rising tensions across the Western Pacific and the First Island Chain. Could Tokyo's expanding sea-denial strategy complicate Beijing's military calculations in a future regional conflict?