Japan commissions "Kaga" the second Izumo-class helicopter carrier

Japan commissions second helicopter carrier

Japan commissions a new Izumo-class helicopter carrier for its Maritime Self-Defense Force.

By Richard Tomkins   |   March 23, 2017 at 1:30 PM

March 23 (UPI) -- Japan has commissioned a second helicopter carrier into service for its Maritime Self-Defense Force.

The Kaga, an Izumo-class ship, is about 813.6 feet long, displaces 27,000 tons when fully loaded and has a maximum speed of 30 knots.

The carrier features five helipads and can carry more than 14 helicopters. It can also land and launch Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

Japan's Asahi Shimbun reported that the Kaga was commissioned in Yokohama on Wednesday and will be based in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture.

With the commissioning of the Kaga, Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force has four helicopter-carrying ships, two of which are 647-foot-long destroyers.

Original post: upi.com

China on high alert for Japan's military move

Source: Xinhua | 2017-03-23 19:04:27 | Editor: huaxia

BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- China said on Thursday it is on high alert for Japan's true intentions as the Japanese helicopter-carrier destroyer Kaga went into service on Wednesday.

According to Japanese media reports, the 19,500-tonne Kaga will be used for surveillance.

"The situation in the South China Sea is stable through the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries. China and its neighbors will never allow Japan to make trouble," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying.

In recent years, Japan has played up the so-called "China threat," as an excuse for expanding its military, Hua said.

For historical reasons, the international community and especially Japan's neighbors keep a close eye on Japan's military moves, she told a routine press briefing.

"We have every reason to remain on high alert," she added.

The original Kaga was sunk by U.S. military during World War II. Japan should learn the lessons of history, Hua said.

"We hope the Kaga's reappearance is not resurgence of Japanese militarism," she said. Source xinhuanet.com

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