"Japanese Advance Plans For Another Air-Capable Assault Ship" Topic

"The Japanese defense ministry has brought forward a proposal to construct at least one large amphibious assault ship that will enlarge the country's naval aviation capability. The program may also enhance sales prospects for the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey.

Entry into service for the ship is now targeted for the fiscal year from March 2019; previous plans implied it would be commissioned in the early 2020s, if at all. The ministry will request funding for studies of the ship for the budget year beginning April 1, 2015, Jiji news agency reports.

Missions include rapid reinforcement of the defenses of Japan's remote islands, with those actively disputed by China—the Senkaku, or Diaoyu, islands—probably a spur. Tokyo must also consider its claim to the Liancourt Rocks, over which North and South Korea also assert sovereignty…"
Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

Well, we already gave the Japanese plans for the Arleigh Burke class (that the Japanese stretched into the Kongo-class).

A Wasp or America-class LPH really makes sense for Japan. Not a lot of good places for amphibious craft to come ashore, but lots of good places for helos to work!

Interesting if the Japanese began to "baptize" their Air Assault Ships with name of Akagi, Junyo , Hiyō etc (smile)

Amicalement
Armand