TOKYO: The Japanese government’s latest move to mull over
remodelling of the Izumo, the largest class destroyer of the country’s
Maritime Self-Defence Force (MSDF), into an aircraft carrier highlights
its aim to further strengthen cooperation with the United States by
utilising a new vessel amid mounting tension surrounding North Korea.
However,
if F-35B fighter jets are introduced to the air force and are installed
on an aircraft carrier, it would virtually enable the ship to operate
as an “aircraft carrier with attack capabilities”. The envisaged move
would trigger a debate in a review of the country’s defence programme
guidelines scheduled to be released at the end of next year.
The
government plans to temporarily use a remodelled Izumo as a refuelling
base, mainly for F-35B fighter jets deployed by the US military for
operations to defend Japan, according to sources. Under the
security-related laws that took effect in March last year, the
Self-Defence Forces and the US military have unified more of their
operations. In May, the Izumo and other MSDF destroyers conducted “US
military ship protection” measures — operations in which a Japanese
vessel defends a US supply ship in peacetime.
Japanese
naval supply ships on a few occasions have refuelled US Aegis-equipped
vessels positioned in the Sea of Japan to watch North Korea’s missile
launches.
A senior defence ministry official said: “If an
[MSDF] aircraft carrier were capable of refueling the US military’s
F-35Bs, there definitely would be a demand from the US military, making
it a symbol of strengthening the [Japan-U.S.] alliance.” Within the
government, there also is a future plan for the air force to have F-35B
jets as carrier-based planes.
However, the SDF’s
possession of an aircraft carrier has been frequently raised in the Diet
(parliament) for discussion about whether an aircraft carrier falls
into the category of “armed forces”, the possession of which is
prohibited in the constitution.
In April 1988, then
Defence Agency Director General Tsutomu Kawara told the Diet that the
SDF shall not be allowed to possess an intercontinental ballistic
missile, a long-range strategic bomber or an aircraft carrier with
attack capabilities, clarifying the interpretation of the constitution.
Since then, his statement has been established as the government’s
stance.
As a result, the government intends to gain
public acceptance by limiting the attack capabilities of a remodelled
Izumo and using it for the purpose of defending remote islands and
protecting MSDF vessels. In fact, the Izumo has a relatively small body
compared to aircraft carriers possessed by other countries, with its
capacity estimated to be sufficient to carry about 10 fighters. It is
dwarfed by vessels the size of the US aircraft carrier Nimitz, which can
carry up to 50 jets.
Ability to strike enemy bases
Tokyo is considering having an aircraft carrier because it
contemplates “possessing the capability to strike enemy bases with North
Korea in mind”, a government source said. By possessing an aircraft
carrier, even though not a large one, Japan could expand the flight
range of fighter jets heading to attack North Korea’s territory, thus
boosting the capability to strike an enemy base.
In the
medium and long term, the government also plans to improve deterrent
power against China, which has been actively advancing its maritime
expansion and boosting military buildup. Concerning the capability to
strike enemy bases, the government stance is that Japan is allowed to
have such a capability under the constitution, but will refrain from
possessing it in consideration of the nation’s exclusively
defence-oriented policy.
However, there are mounting
calls within the government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to
possess the capability as the country faces the rapid development of
North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes.
Having
requested funds in the budget for introducing long-range cruise missiles
that can attack targets on the ground, the defence ministry has made
strategic moves to make it possible to have the capability to attack
enemy bases. The SDF has been steadily making preparations for various
equipment it would need to thoroughly execute such an attack.
