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.

The Japan News

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2017