Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force’s new helicopter destroyer, DDH183 Izumo, at the launch ceremony in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, yesterday.
TOKYO: Japan unveiled its biggest warship since World War II yesterday, a $1.2bn helicopter carrier aimed at defending territorial claims, drawing criticism from regional rival China which accused its neighbour of “constant” military expansion.
The ceremony to showcase the 248-metre vessel came as Shinzo Abe’s conservative government, which took office last December, considers ditching the nation’s pacifist constitution and beefing up the military.
Japan plans to use the helicopter carrier, named Izumo and expected to go into service in 2015, to defend territorial claims following maritime skirmishes with China, which has demonstrated its own military ambitions in recent years.
“We express our concern at Japan’s constant expansion of its military equipment. This trend is worthy of high vigilance by Japan’s Asian neighbours and the international community,” China’s defence ministry said.
The unveiling ceremony took place on the 68th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima — a date clash which Tokyo said was coincidental.
The Japanese-built carrier can accommodate nine helicopters and is expected to play a major role in disaster and rescue missions, as well as defending sea lanes and sovereignty claims, according to the defence ministry.
The navy’s biggest vessels currently are a pair of smaller helicopter carriers.
Less than two weeks ago, the Chinese coastguard entered waters disputed with Japan for the first time, upping the ante in a festering row over ownership of the Senkaku islands, which Beijing also claims and calls the Diaoyus.
The rocky islands are located in rich fishing grounds in the East China Sea and are believed to harbour vast natural resources below their seabed.
The incursion came as Japan’s defence ministry recommended establishing amphibious units and acquiring surveillance drones, similar to the US Marines, to protect its claim on outlying islands.
Tokyo is also locked in a separate territorial dispute with Seoul.
Japan’s well-funded and well-equipped military is referred to as the Self-Defence Forces, and is barred from taking aggressive action. Any move to beef up the military would require constitutional change.
AFP
