Japanese naval plan opposed

‘Helicopter destroyer’ may be altered to carry 10 advanced F-35B fighters

China urged Japan to adhere to the strategy of maintaining a purely defensive military and the path of peaceful development, and to act cautiously in its military and security affairs, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular news conference on Tuesday.

Japan is considering transforming its largest warship, Izumo, into an aircraft carrier, Yomiuri Shimbun reported. It said the first aircraft carrier of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force is expected to enter service in 2020, capable of carrying about 10 Lockheed Martin F-35B fighters.

Due to historical reasons, Japan’s military strategy has always highly concerned its neighbors in Asia and the international community, Hua said.

“I have noticed some media reports that said Japan’s move probably violates Article 9 of its Constitution,” she said.

Hua noted that Article 9 is a legal guarantee and symbol of Japan’s peaceful development after World War II, as well as the country’s commitment to the international community.

“We have heard many Japanese officials saying that Japan is a force for peace and we hope such statements will be implemented in its policies and actions,” Hua said.

Lu Hao, an associate researcher at the Institute of Japanese Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said repurposing the warship was not a surprise.

“When the Izumo was designed, the possibility of carrying F-35B fighters was taken into consideration,” Lu said. “There is no longer any

There is no longer any technical barrier for Japan to transform its warships.” Lu Hao, associate researcher at the Institute of Japanese Studies

technical barrier for Japan to transform its warships.”

The Izumo displaces 26,000 tons at a full load and is 248 meters long. The ship can carry up to 14 helicopters.

Lu said Japan’s research and development on fighter aircraft and rocket technology have already surpassed the needs of defense and become more offensive.

Designating the warship a helicopter destroyer allows Japan to circumvent its constitutional ban on waging offensive war, as aircraft carriers are considered offensive weapons due to their ability to project force.

Japan has four “helicopter destroyers”: the Hyuga, its sister ship Ise and two larger Izumo-class ships, the Izumo and Kaga.

The Izumo-class vessels are the largest Japanese warships to enter service since World War II, according to Jane’s Defense Weekly.

Although the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force classifies them as helicopterdestroyers, these vessels have more the appearance of a carrier than a destroyer, Jane’s Defense Weekly said. Liu Xuan contributed to this story.