What is the True Intent behind Japan's Launch of the "Izumo"? (3)

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What is the True Intent behind Japan's Launch of the "Izumo"? (3)

(People's Daily Online) 14:19, August 23, 2013

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The intentions of the Abe Government are unpredictable

For some time Shinzo Abe has been increasing his lobbying for the alteration of the peace constitution, causing a steady deterioration in relationships. The interim report of the “New National Defense Program Outline” published by Japan in July directly stated that in order to reinforce its “defense” of the Diaoyu Islands, Japan had decided to strengthen its naval forces and organize a specific force dedicated to “assault and landing on the islands”.

Since the “Izumo” has the capacity to conduct offshore helicopter maintenance and refueling of other vessels, media analysts consider the commissioning of this new 22DDH class of quasi-carrier to be a clear indication of the Abe government’s trend towards militarism. “The Abe government is upgrading its self-defense forces for aggressive purposes, and is preparing to reclaim the right to launch wars as a ‘normal country’”, experts warn.

According to the military expert Song Xiaojun, the strategy behind the Japanese quasi-carrier is to change fundamentally its right to collective self-defense. Once Japan achieves this objective, it will be possible to deliver many of its forces rapidly by helicopter carriers in multiple fields of operation, and to become a supplement to the amphibious operation capabilities of the U.S.

Many people of insight have expressed their concerns on the issue. According to the Japan Kyodo News Agency, strained offshore relationships with Japan’s neighboring countries have incited the Ministry of Defense to strengthen its island defense capabilities, but the launch of a large-scale military vessel at this time is likely to achieve nothing but heightened tension in the area.

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