As a defeated country in World War II, after the end of World War II, Japan's military development has been constrained by the peace constitution, according to the regulations, Japan's development of weapons and equipment can only be used for self-defense, not allowed to have an offensive nature. In this context, the various weapons and equipment used by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces have strict standard regulations, such as missiles cannot exceed a certain range, the displacement of surface ships cannot exceed a certain tonnage, and large surface ships of an offensive nature such as nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers cannot be possessed.
However, in the new century, with the changes in the situation in the Asia-Pacific region and the support of the United States behind the scenes, Japan began to break through the restrictions of the peace constitution and vigorously develop weapons and equipment with extremely strong offensive power. At present, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force is equipped with a large number of conventionally powered submarines and several advanced guided missile destroyers equipped with the "Aegis" combat system, of course, the most eye-catching weapons and equipment are two "Hyuga" class and two "Izumo" class helicopter destroyers.
Take the "Izumo" class helicopter destroyer, for example, the ship has a full load displacement of about 27,000 tons, which is equivalent to the Italian Navy's current aircraft carrier "Garibaldi", with a straight-through flight deck design, a length of more than 240 meters, can carry 14 carrier-based aircraft of various types, and can take off and land 5 carrier-based aircraft at the same time. Since its commissioning in March 2015, the ship has been seen by military experts as a "quasi-aircraft carrier," at least an amphibious assault ship. But japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force has been calling it a helicopter destroyer to avoid unconstitutionality
Starting in 2019, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force modified the ship to allow it to take off and land fixed-wing carrier-based aircraft. Japan's Ministry of Defense has purchased more than 40 F-35B fighter jets with vertical take-off and landing capabilities. In October this year, the Izumo-class helicopter destroyer, which had completed initial modifications, underwent take-off and landing training for F-35B carrier-based aircraft, and the ship had since disengaged into an aircraft carrier. But even so, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force is reluctant to admit the fact that the ship has become an aircraft carrier, and has been using various arguments to cover it up.
However, japan's "pig teammate" the United States a few days ago unexpectedly betrayed Japan. A few days ago, U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Toro boarded the "Izumo" helicopter destroyer, and after completing a series of visits, he called the "Izumo" helicopter destroyer an aircraft carrier when he posted his visiting impressions on social media. That is to say, in the eyes of senior U.S. Navy officials, the Izumo helicopter destroyer has become a full-fledged aircraft carrier, and the ship has changed from a main defensive battleship to an attack battleship.
Although the U.S. Navy spokesman urgently clarified afterwards, the Japanese conspiracy could no longer be hidden. The transformation of the Izumo helicopter destroyer into an aircraft carrier is only a microcosm of Japan's vigorous development of military strength, and neighboring countries must be vigilant against Japan's ambitions.