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Power both at sea and in the air
Long term benefitsJapan is taking on a more independent role in the Indo-Pacific and indicates that it has an enduring interest in Southeast Asia. The fact that the new Japanese prime minister decided to go to Vietnam before touring the Tokyo allies carried an important message. This signaled Japan’s determination not only to its traditional allies, but also sent a message to China that Tokyo was committed to protecting the legal freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and other waters.
Dr. James Holmes (Marine Strategy Specialist – US Naval War College)
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Commenting on this anti-submarine exercise, Dr. Satoru Nagao (Hudson Research Institute, USA) analyzed: For the carrier strike group, the submarine remains the biggest risk. So, anti-submarine exercises demonstrate the ability of submarines to escort aircraft carriers. “The JS Kaga has been upgraded to carry the fifth-generation F-35 (F-35B version) stealth fighter to become a true aircraft carrier,” quoted Mr. Nagao.
In recent years, Tokyo is pursuing a strategy to develop carrier battle groups by upgrading two Izumo-class helicopters, JS Izumo and JS Kaga. In 2019, after JS Kaga completed some updates, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, delivered a speech on this ship while traveling to Japan. The White House owner’s move is seen as a recognition by Washington of Tokyo’s move to perfect the carrier strike group.
In addition to the F-35B version, Japan also plans to own 105 fifth-generation stealth F-35A fighters. As a result, Tokyo becomes the partner with the most F-35s outside the United States. Without stopping there, Tokyo is also setting aside a budget of up to $ 256 million for next year to follow a plan to develop domestic fighter jets to replace future F-2 jets, expected in the decade. year 2030, according to Defensenews. In particular, Japan also plans to develop hypersonic cruise missiles and super-speed guns. That was part of the pre-emptive strike capability development program that Tokyo aspired to.
Deterrence Beijing
Japan Strengthens Cyber Security DefenseJapan intends to establish a new unit in fiscal 2022 spanning industries, governments and academics to study cyberattacks and develop more effective defenses, according to the Nikkei Asian Review. October 21.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, more than 20 companies and organizations are discussing joining this unit, including Hitachi, NEC, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Electric, Waseda University, and Kobe University. When a business or organization in Japan has a cyber attack, the new unit will create an online network that “disguises” the victim to attract the attack and make the culprit think it was successful. This unit will then monitor and analyze attack techniques, identify the perpetrator, and advise the attacker on how to respond. In the short term, the National Institute of Information and Communication Technology will develop software to analyze cyberattacks, with an expected cost of about 2 billion yen in fiscal 2021.
Khanh An |
This is evident in recent cruises of the aircraft carrier JS Kaga and the destroyer JS Ikazuchi. Specifically, the JS Kaga is escorted by the destroyer JS Ikazuchi departing from Japan, passing through the South China Sea and exercising with the Australian navy here from September 13 to 17. The ship then headed to the Indian Ocean and conducted exercises with the navies of India and Sri Lanka.
Following exercises in the Indian Ocean, battleships JS Kaga and JS Ikazuchi headed south to the South China Sea to exercise with the Indonesian navy near the Natuna Islands on October 7. After that, JS Kaga and JS Ikazuchi teamed up with submarines SS Shoryu (Japan) to conduct anti-submarine exercises in the South China Sea. On October 12, also in the South China Sea, a pair of battleships JS Kaga and JS Ikazuchi practiced with the destroyer USS John McCain, the US tanker USNS Tippecanoe.
“The itinerary and activities mentioned above represent not only the message from Japan, but also the overall message of the ‘diamond quartet’, which includes the United States, Japan, Australia and India on comprehensive cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.” , Mr. Nagao said that comprehensive cooperation aims to address Beijing’s behavior in the region.
In doing so, Japan demonstrated the ability of its carrier group to operate throughout the western Pacific and the Indian Ocean. For a long time, the role just mentioned has been played primarily by the United States Navy, so the increase in Japanese operations is also a message to share with the United States, implying that Tokyo’s role in the region also increases in the Beijing Deputy.
Schuster said it was necessary for Japan because its important commercial sea routes pass through the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. “The combat capabilities of the aircraft carriers complement the defense capabilities on the islands disputed by Tokyo and contribute to the security and stability of the region,” said Schuster.
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