Japan's newest and largest aircraft carrier has been named Izumo
at the launching ceremony attended by Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Aso.
248 meters long
Full-load displacement: 19,500 tons
Designed to carry helicopters for the purpose of defending Japan's remote islands and for the rescue operations. Another aircraft carrier similar to Izumo will be launched soon.
A Japanese expert says, "Izumo will play an important role in carrying out integrated operation of air, sea and land forces Japan's Defense Forces aims to achieve in the future."
Izumo will be needed as one of the pillars to support Japan's amphibious function, so as to defend or re-take any of Japan's thousands of remote islands from a hostile force as already demonstrated in amphibious warfare training with U.S. Marines on San Clemente Island, Calif., in July this year.
The Ministry of Defense states that Izumo is not offensive and is expected to chiefly perform functions required to deal with natural disasters. However, the expert says, "Depending upon security situation surrounding Japan, Japan may add offensive power to Izumo, so that Japanese Navy will cooperate with US Navy in maintaining peace and security in the region."
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