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Japan unveils 'largest warship' since World War II | |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Japan has unveiled its largest warship since World War II, to be used in anti-submarine warfare and border-area surveillance missions. | Japan has unveiled its largest warship since World War II, to be used in anti-submarine warfare and border-area surveillance missions. |
The vessel has a flight deck nearly 250m (820ft) long and can reportedly carry more than nine helicopters. | The vessel has a flight deck nearly 250m (820ft) long and can reportedly carry more than nine helicopters. |
Its unveiling comes amid tensions with China over islands which both countries insist are theirs. | Its unveiling comes amid tensions with China over islands which both countries insist are theirs. |
The Philippines is also bolstering its marine defences by buying a second decommissioned US Coast Guard ship. | The Philippines is also bolstering its marine defences by buying a second decommissioned US Coast Guard ship. |
President Benigno Aquino on Tuesday welcomed the arrival of the vessel in Subic Bay. | President Benigno Aquino on Tuesday welcomed the arrival of the vessel in Subic Bay. |
He said it would intensify patrols of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, where disputed waters have also raised tensions. | He said it would intensify patrols of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, where disputed waters have also raised tensions. |
Island tension | Island tension |
Correspondents say that the launch of the huge Japanese flat-top destroyer, Izumo, has raised eyebrows in China because it bears a strong resemblance to a conventional aircraft carrier. | Correspondents say that the launch of the huge Japanese flat-top destroyer, Izumo, has raised eyebrows in China because it bears a strong resemblance to a conventional aircraft carrier. |
Officials say it will be used for national defence and will enhance the Japan's ability to transport personnel and supplies in response to large-scale natural disasters, such as the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011. | Officials say it will be used for national defence and will enhance the Japan's ability to transport personnel and supplies in response to large-scale natural disasters, such as the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011. |
Although work on Izumo has been ongoing since 2009, its unveiling comes as Japan and China are locked in a dispute over several small islands located between southern Japan and Taiwan. | Although work on Izumo has been ongoing since 2009, its unveiling comes as Japan and China are locked in a dispute over several small islands located between southern Japan and Taiwan. |
Vessels from both countries have been conducting patrols around the islands, called the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyutai in China. | Vessels from both countries have been conducting patrols around the islands, called the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyutai in China. |
Tension over the issue, along with China's heavy spending on defence and military modernisation, have heightened calls in Japan for its naval and air forces to be strengthened. | Tension over the issue, along with China's heavy spending on defence and military modernisation, have heightened calls in Japan for its naval and air forces to be strengthened. |
China recently began operating a refurbished Russian aircraft carrier - and is also reportedly moving forward with the construction of another that is domestically built. | China recently began operating a refurbished Russian aircraft carrier - and is also reportedly moving forward with the construction of another that is domestically built. |
Technically the Izumo is a destroyer, but some experts believe the new Japanese ship could potentially be used to launch fighter jets or other aircraft that have the ability to take off vertically. | Technically the Izumo is a destroyer, but some experts believe the new Japanese ship could potentially be used to launch fighter jets or other aircraft that have the ability to take off vertically. |
That would be a departure for Japan, correspondents say, even though it has one of the best-equipped and best-trained naval forces in the Pacific. | That would be a departure for Japan, correspondents say, even though it has one of the best-equipped and best-trained naval forces in the Pacific. |
Since the end of WWII it has not sought to build aircraft carriers of its own because of constitutional restrictions that limit its military forces to a defensive role. | Since the end of WWII it has not sought to build aircraft carriers of its own because of constitutional restrictions that limit its military forces to a defensive role. |