This file photo shows the Japanese AEGIS destroyer JS Haguro.
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) officials recently affirmed that Japan planed to mobilize a massive naval formation including two Izumo-class "light aircraft carriers" for the first time to conduct seven-month joint exercises and visits in the Indo-Pacific waters. This will mark the largest ever deployment by the JMSDF to date.
The deployment, code-named "Indo-Pacific Deployment 2024 (IPD24)", started from May 3 and will last to December 15. The participating forces, involving six surface ships, consist of four different surface mission units which will visit various countries and participate in a series of multinational joint maritime exercises.
Chinese military observer Zhou Weizheng analyzed that this military deployment of Japan is the prototype of aircraft carrier formations, with the Izumo and JS Kaga "light aircraft carriers" serving as the core of the formation, two destroyers fulfilling air defense tasks and the Mogami-class frigate fulfilling anti-submarine tasks.
Based on the composition of a normal aircraft carrier formation, Japan will definitely deploy one to two submarines as underwater cover forces during the deployment, possibly being Soryu-class or even Taigei-class submarines. The Taigei-class submarine is probably used to test the actual combat capabilities during ocean-going deployment. The decision of Japan to send it on a prolonged 7-month deployment overseas indicates the paramount importance of this mission.
During the operation, the JMSDF naval formation will visit the US, the Philippines, India, Australia and more countries, and participate in almost all joint exercises held in the relevant regions.
Zhou said that this large-scale overseas deployment of Japan carries hidden political and military considerations. To align with the "Indo-Pacific strategy" of the US, Japan has cooperated with the US in implementing strategic counterbalance against other countries in the Asia-Pacific region with greater force commitment and a more proactive attitude. Japan's flaunt of military strength in the Asia-Pacific by prominently dispatching a formation of dual "aircraft carriers" is just to show the international community that its military power has reemerged. With the proliferation of such military exercises, other countries may gradually forget that Japan is actually not eligible to possess military forces.
For this overseas deployment, the Japanese side stated that it was designed to enhance its joint combat capabilities with regional allies and promote regional peace and stability. In Zhou's view, Japan's relevant military activities will pose grave threats to the regional security situation, which deserves vigilance of the international community.
Zhou pointed out that the US is sparing no effort to push the "Indo-Pacific Strategy" and foster great power confrontation, and Japan's involvement will undoubtedly further escalate tensions in the relevant regions and incur new destabilizing factors to regional peace and stability. Considering Japan's track record in the past, it is apparent that almost every instance of its military buildup has presented a serious security menace to neighboring countries.
Editor's note: Originally published on military.cnr.cn, this article is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
