Japan rearms, starts acquiring aircraft carriers

[Böri]

Japan Wants Aircraft Carriers Armed with F-35s (And It Could Happen Fast)
By modifying some of its top ships.

by Zachary Keck
Japan’s ruling party is officially calling for Tokyo to return to the aircraft carrier business.

On May 25, the Liberal Democratic Party—the party of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe—finalized proposals calling for the country to refit its massive helicopter destroyers so that they can carry fixed-wing aircraft, according to a number of local Japanese news outlets. “The party plans to submit the proposals to the government by the end of this month at the earliest, hoping that they will be reflected in the country’s defense program guidelines and medium-term defense program to be revised at year-end,” one news article said.


The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) first hinted it was going in that direction when it released an outline of the proposal in March of this year. At that time, the proposal called for refitting one or both of Japan’s Izumo-class amphibious assault ships to be “a multipurpose defensive aircraft carrier.” Apparently, some members of the LDP objected to this wording since it evoked memories of World War II when Imperial Japan had a potent carrier fleet. Thus, the new proposal now calls the refitted vessels a multipurpose “mother ship.” The concept is still the same.
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/japan-wants-aircraft-carriers-armed-f-35s-it-could-happen-26077



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd8ScnqnxfU

[1R0N M4N XL]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=913tBHGJ888

[Böri]

They are converting their helicopter carriers into aircraft carriers able to host F-35 jets they acquired from the US.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgtwrkDfoh4&t=36s

Japanese PM Abe was first foreign leader invited by Trump after elections.
Japan used North Korean threat to its advantage and got world approval for remilitarization.

[1R0N M4N XL]

http://nationalinterest.org/files/styles/main_image_on_posts/public/main_images/japaneseshipsthattotallywanttofightchina.jpg?itok= 0tKBZSEE

Japan’s ruling party is officially calling for Tokyo to return to the aircraft carrier business.

On May 25, the Liberal Democratic Party—the party of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe—finalized proposals calling for the country to refit its massive helicopter destroyers so that they can carry fixed-wing aircraft, according to a number of local Japanese news outlets. “The party plans to submit the proposals to the government by the end of this month at the earliest, hoping that they will be reflected in the country’s defense program guidelines and medium-term defense program to be revised at year-end,” one news article said.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) first hinted it was going in that direction when it released an outline of the proposal in March of this year. At that time, the proposal called for refitting one or both of Japan’s Izumo-class amphibious assault ships to be “a multipurpose defensive aircraft carrier.” Apparently, some members of the LDP objected to this wording since it evoked memories of World War II when Imperial Japan had a potent carrier fleet. Thus, the new proposal now calls the refitted vessels a multipurpose “mother ship.” The concept is still the same.

As the National Interest previously noted, Japan’s massive Izumo-class helicopter destroyers could potentially be refitted to carry the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. That is the U.S. Marines’ version of the F-35 that has short take-off and vertical landing capability. The possibility of this happening was something many observers speculated about when the first Izumo ship was unveiled in 2013. At that time, some began to call it an “aircraft carrier in disguise.” It wasn’t difficult to see why: the Izumos are roughly 250 meters (820 feet) long and displace twenty-four thousand tons. That makes them about 50 percent bigger (in terms of displacement) than Japan’s previously largest ship, the Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer. Others have pointed out that the ships are actually larger than Spain and Italy’s short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft carriers. The Izumos were also built with a hanger that can handle fixed-wing aircraft.
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Still, Japan has consistently tried to tamp down those expectations. When reports emerged last December that Tokyo was seriously considering refitting the Izumos to carry the F-35B, Japanese defense minister Itsunori Onodera offered an (admittedly half hearted) denial. “Regarding our defense posture, we are constantly conducting various examinations. But no concrete examination is under way on the introduction of F-35B or remodeling of Izumo-class destroyers,” Onodera said, local media reported. He added, however, that “there is a need to always be considering various alternatives.”

Despite that denial, Japan’s Ministry of Defense commissioned a study from the Japanese shipbuilder Marine United Corporation about whether the Izumos could really be converted into an aircraft carrier. A redacted form of that study was released publicly in late April of this year. Unsurprisingly, it found that such a refit was possible without enormous modifications such as a catapult launcher.

The whole exercise was rather disingenuous, however, as former Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) executives say that this was the plan all along. Speaking to The Asahi Shimbun in February, one explained that at the time the service was deciding to build the vessels: “a consensus was reached privately among the MSDF that the Izumo should be considered for conversion into an aircraft carrier. But the MSDF couldn't explain the need publicly due to the government’s view that aircraft carriers capable of launching large-scale attacks are equivalent to the military capability prohibited by the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution.”

Of course, the LDP’s proposal hinges on Japan acquiring the F-35B. Currently, Tokyo is only purchasing the F-35A, which is the conventional take-off and landing variant. But the LDP proposal that calls for refitting the Izumos also calls for purchasing the F-35B from the United States. Currently, only a few services have signed onto buy the F-35B, including the U.S. Marines, British Royal Navy, British Royal Air Force and Italian Navy. Other countries like South Korea and perhaps Turkey have expressed interest in the F-35B as part of their own interest in transforming amphibious assault ships into aircraft carriers. If Tokyo goes forward with plans to transform the Izumos into F-35B carriers, this could have a profound influence on what at least South Korea does and perhaps Turkey as well.

The LDP proposal made a number of other potentially controversial proposals. For starters, it called for scrapping the informal prohibition on spending more than one percent of Japan’s Gross Domestic Product on defense. Instead, it wants to bring defense spending up to the two percent goal set by NATO members. Of arguably greater importance, the LDP proposal reportedly calls for acquiring an ability to strike foreign adversary bases and other installations as well as building cruise missiles. Tokyo has not developed a strike capability since this was viewed as offensive in nature and because it has committed itself to maintaining a purely self-defensive force.

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/japan-wants-aircraft-carriers-armed-f-35s-it-could-happen-26077?page=2

[1R0N M4N XL]

Steps taken towards capacity to strike bases in foreign territory, acquisition of F-35Bs (which naturally means conversion of Izumo from heli carrier to fighter carrier), and mentioning of NATO's 2% defense GDP target.
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Panels of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party approved Friday a draft proposal for the government to develop the ability to strike enemy bases.

Considering North Korea's nuclear and missile development and China's maritime assertiveness, the LDP will make proposals for beefing up defense capabilities, including a request for acquiring F-35B advanced stealth fighter jets.

The government maintains the position that having a strike capability is possible under the war-renouncing Constitution if it can be considered a self-defense measure. But whether it can actually possess such a capability remains a politically sensitive issue.

The proposals will be submitted to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who also heads the party, within the month and reflected in Japan's defense buildup guidelines to be reviewed at the end of the year.

The LDP will also call for securing a "sufficient" defense budget. While falling short of presenting numerical targets, it referred to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's goal of spending 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense.
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https://japantoday.com/category/politics/ldp-panels-ok-proposal-for-capability-to-strike-enemy-bases


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqvQCZy9IcY

[1R0N M4N XL]

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – In order to balance and monitor China’s increasing activity in the South China Sea, the government of Japan has decided to increase the number of resident military advisers in partner nations of the region.

On March 7, it was reported by Liberty Times that Japan will be dispatching permanent military advisers to the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia to cooperate with the local governments on intelligence operations regarding China’s activity in the region.

According to Japanese media, this is the first time the Japanese government has assigned official military attaches to the three Southeast Asian countries, and the original number of officers planned has also been increased from one officer to two officers, for each of the three countries.

In addition to coordinating intelligence between countries on behalf of Japan’s SDF, the aadvisers will also have responsibilities related to the security of the Japanese embassies in the three host countries.

According to the report from Liberty Times, Japan is also preparing to provide the Philippine military with three new TC-90 utility aircraft, which will help the Philippines better monitor Chinese activity around its territory.
---end---
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3378507

Opening ceremony and demonstration for the Japanese Rapid Amphibious Deployment Brigade being introduced.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=1dDzx9VtJE0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBz386wTDSY


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PssDOFe3k0U



Plan of joint-training between the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force and other nations such as the US, Australia, India, and the UK for fiscal year 2018. The document also includes a schedule for Japan only training, but just translated the joint-training
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US-Japan joint-training
-Command and Control: Yama Sakura 74, Northern Army, in the US, June
-Command and Control: Yama Sakura 75, Northern Army, in Japan, December

-Working exercise with US Army in Japan: Orient Shield, North Eastern Army, August-September
-Working exercise with US Army in Japan: North Wind, Northern Army, January-March

-Working exercise with USMC in Japan: Northern Viper, Northern Army, July-September
-Working exercise with USMC in Japan: Forest Light 01, Western Army, October-December
-Working exercise with USMC in Japan: Forest Light 02, Middle Army, January-March

-Working exercise with US Army in the US: Raising Thunder, Eastern Army, August-September
-Working exercise with US Army in the US: Arctic Aurora, Combined Ground, May-June
-Working exercise with US Army in the US: at the National Training Center, Northern Army, January-March
-Working exercise with US Army in the US: RIMPAC (anti-ship warfare), Western Army, June-August

-Working exercise with USMC in the US: RIMPAC (Amphibious vehicles), Combined Ground, June-August
-Working exercise with USMC in the Philippines: KAMANDAG, Combined Ground, September-October
-Working exercise with USMC in the US: Iron Fist, Combined Ground, January-March

Japan-US-Australia joint-training
-Participation in Australia: AASAM, Fuji School, April-May
-Working exercise with US and Australia militaries in Australia: Southern Jackaroo, Eastern Army, May-June
-Working exercise with US and Australia militaries in Japan: disaster countermeasures, Middle Army, October

Multi-national exercise in Mongolia called Khaan Quest, Combined Ground, June

Working exercise with the British Army in Japan: Fuji School, September-October

Working exercise with the Indian Army in India: Eastern Army, October-December

Four working exercise activities with British Army and Indian Army during the working exercise with the US in anti-ship warfare and the training at the National Training Center in the US.
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http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/news/press/2018/pdf/20180406.pdf

[Böri]

Westerners destroyed the culture of Japan. They paved ground for Emperor Akihito (current one) to marry commoner woman of Catholic faith... That was literally destruction of Japanese Shinto culture (Japan emperors are believed as sons of the Sun goddess) which required Emperors don't marry any woman out of imperial circles or Japanese nobility and of course from Shinto faith. Europeans literally destroyed anywhere they put their ominous feet. :)

Now look at this awesome nation of Nipons turned into anime boys and unable to defend themselves against threats of the obese North Korean guy.

[Catarinense1998]

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/p9-debito-a-20151005-870x567.jpg