Japanese navy boosts overseas force projection capability with second big helicopter carrier
Japan’s second big helicopter carrier, the Kaga, entered service on Wednesday, giving the nation’s military greater ability to deploy beyond its shores as it pushes back against China’s growing influence in Asia.
Accompanied by a military band, Maritime Self Defence Force commanders took possession of the 248 meter (813.65 ft) long vessel at the Japan Marine United (5411.T) (7013.T) shipyard in Yokohama near Tokyo, where it was docked next to its sister ship the Izumo.
“China is attempting to make changes in the South China Sea with bases and through acts that exert pressure is altering the status quo, raising security concerns among the international community,” Vice Minister of Defence Takayuki Kobayashi said at the ceremony attend by about 500 people
Japan’s two biggest warships since World War Two are potent symbols of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s push to give the military a bigger international role. They are designated as helicopter destroyers to keep within the bounds of a war-renouncing constitution that forbids possession of offensive weapons.