A More Assertive Japan: Good or Bad for Regional Stability?"

[CougarKing]

Japan's fighter procurement challenges:

Defense News

Japan Faces Challenging Choices for Cash-Strapped Air Force
By Paul Kallender-Umezu, Defense News 11 a.m. EST February 14, 2016


TOKYO — Critics have raised concerns that Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) could find itself with only a modest number of fifth-generation aircraft backed by obsolescing fourth-generation planes, based around the F-2 and F-15s, that lack interoperability.

For example, at present funding levels, the ASDF can only procure 42 F-35s at a rate of a handful a year, meanwhile diverting scarce resources to update its legacy fleet. This year, the ASDF can only afford to buy six F-35s while upgrading 11 F-2s with modern digital communications systems.

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The threat to Japan is not Chinese fighters. It’s thousands of cruise and ballistic missiles that could easily cut off all Japan south of Kyushu. This most important reason to have both F-35s and upgraded F-15s with AESA radars is the cruise missile threat of low flying, low [radar cross section] missile salvos that could quickly become overwhelming. This also points out the importance of a 'raid breaker' capability along the Nansei Shoto, perhaps mobile rail guns,” Ganyard said.

In this light, a joint upgrade program between Japan and the US would share development costs, reduce risk and increase interoperability. The result would be the kind of air force that the US, Israel, Australia and Singapore will have, a mix of aircraft and integrated operations with both fifth-generation and 4+ generation fighters, Ganyard said.

The deeper problem, analysts agree, is that Japan needs to pull back from funding aircraft  that are not internationally competitive, such as the F-2, the C-2 and the P-1, and refocus its strategy and R&D resources on a few world class products and buy what it isn't...


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[tomahawk6]

Where is the threat to Japan ? Certainly not China or Russia.There is a very real threat from North Korea and as such I would expect Japan to acquire THAAD.Of course what would work against the North will work against other possible enemies.Japan and the ROK both operate Aegis destroyers.In addition the USN has 5 based in Japan with perhaps 2 more being based there.

 

[George Wallace]

Where is the threat to Japan ? Certainly not China or Russia.There is a very real threat from North Korea and as such I would expect Japan to acquire THAAD.Of course what would work against the North will work against other possible enemies.Japan and the ROK both operate Aegis destroyers.In addition the USN has 5 based in Japan with perhaps 2 more being based there.

With China's laying claim to numerous islands and shoals in the South China Sea, there may be some confrontations there and perhaps escalation of the differences between China, Taiwan, and other nations in that region.  I would not limit the 'enemies' that may be barking at Japan's doors to just North Korea.

 

[CougarKing]

7th Soryu class sub delivered to the JMSDF: Japan attempting to match China's continued naval buildup.

Defence Aerospace

MHI Delivers "Jinryu" Japan's 7th Soryu-Class Submarine, at the MHI Kobe Shipyard & Machinery Works
(Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.; issued March 7, 2016)
TOKYO --- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) delivered the "Jinryu" submarine to the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD) today in a ceremony held at the MHI Kobe Shipyard & Machinery Works' No.3 pier in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. The Jinryu is the seventh Soryu-class submarine supplied to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and the fourth built by MHI. MHI also built the first Soryu-class submarine, and has produced a total of 26 submarines at the MHI Kobe Shipyard over the last 70 years.

The delivery ceremony was attended by a number of MOD officials including State Minister of Defense Kenji Wakamiya, JMSDF Chief of Staff Tomohisa Takei, and Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency Commissioner Hideaki Watanabe. MHI was represented by Hisakazu Mizutani, Executive Vice President of MHI and President & CEO of MHI Integrated Defense & Space Systems.

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[CougarKing]

And speaking of subs: China is irked by the presence of a Japanese sub in the Philippines.

Japan Times

MSDF submarine to make port call in the Philippines
Mar 6, 2016
The Maritime Self-Defense Force plans to have a submarine make a port call in the Philippines’ Subic Bay next month, a Defense Ministry source said Sunday.

While the voyage is aimed at training submariners and fostering goodwill, Tokyo is keen to help Southeast Asian countries improve their surveillance capabilities in the South China Sea to counter China’s militarization of the region.

The plan is for the sub and two destroyers to set sail later this month, the source said. They are scheduled to cross the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines and dock at Subic Bay, north of Manila, in April, the source said.

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ABS-CBN

China on 'high alert' over Japanese sub in PH

    BEIJING - The Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday the country was on "high alert" for Japan's military moves in disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

    A Japanese submarine will visit the Philippines for the first time in 15 years, along with two warships that will then sail on to Vietnam, in a show of support for nations opposed to Beijing's ambitions in the South China Sea, a person familiar with the matter said.

    Rich in natural resources, the South China Sea is also a major thoroughfare for global trade worth up to $5 billion a year, much of it coming to and from Japanese ports.

    The Japanese submarine, which is used for training, and the destroyers will arrive in the Philippines in April. The escort vessels will later sail to Vietnam's strategic Cam Ranh Bay base on the South China Sea, the source said.

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[CougarKing]

I wonder if Col. Yamamoto Masashi is related to Adm. Yamamoto Isoroku of WW2 fame?

Defense News

Japan Extends East China Sea Surveillance
Christopher P. Cavas, Defense News 6:39 p.m. EDT March 17, 2016
WASHINGTON Japan is expanding its East China Sea surveillance network around the disputed Senkaku Islands, and a new radar observation station is expected to go online on March 28.

“This is kind of a power vacuum area,” Col. Masashi Yamamoto,  military attaché with the Japanese embassy here, said Thursday.

“Considering North Korean activities, and the frequent invasion of our territory by China around these islands, we think we need to beef up our intelligence capability so that Japan can react better.”

The Senkakus, called the Diaoyu Islands by the Chinese, are a group of eight uninhabited islands and barren rocks claimed by both nations. The island group, located about 300 miles west of Okinawa, has been administered by Japan since 1895. The Chinese stake their claim based on the group’s location near Taiwan, traditionally a part of China. The islands have become increasingly significant due to their location near rich fishing grounds, shipping lanes, and potential oil and gas reserves.

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[Eaglelord17]

I wonder if Col. Yamamoto Masashi is related to Adm. Yamamoto Isoroku of WW2 fame?

Apparently Yamamoto is a very common Japanese surname. Depending on who you look at it is at least in the top 10, sometimes below the top 5. Could be related, but it is much more likely he isn't.

 

[CougarKing]

China and Japan again nearly came to blows over the East China Sea:

IHS Jane's 360

China says Japanese F-15s locked onto its fighters over East China Sea  - 5 July 2016

The spokesperson stated that two Chinese Su-30s conducting a "routine patrol over the East China Sea Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ)" - which was unilaterally declared by China in late 2013 - were approached by two JASDF F-15s at high speed that "used fire-control radar to lock onto the Chinese fighters", meaning they were ready to fire their weapons.

The Chinese Su-30s reacted by adopting "decisive measures such as tactical manoeuvres" to deal with the Japanese fighters' "provocations", the spokesperson said. The two F-15s then flew away after firing infrared flares, he added.

China has accused two Japanese F-15s (similar to these) of provoking Chinese aircraft flying within its unilaterally declared Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) on 17 June. Source: JASDF

 

[CougarKing]

In the aftermath of the recent Hague ruling on the South China Sea mentioned on the China Super thread.

Reuters

Japan will closely watch Chinese activity in East China Sea: defense minister
By: Tim Kelly, Reuters
July 12, 2016 9:17 PM

TOKYO - Japan's military will closely monitor Chinese activity in the neighboring East China Sea after an international court rules on Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea, the defense minister said on Tuesday.

"We urge all parties concerned to react in a way that does not raise tensions," Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told a briefing in Tokyo. "We will keep a close watch on the situation in the East China Sea," he added.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on Tuesday ruled, as widely expected, in favor of the Philippines, which sought a delineation of maritime entitlements in the South China Sea where it said China had violated its rights under a UN treaty that both Asian countries had signed.

Japan on Tuesday said that The Hague tribunal ruling on the South China Sea is final and legally binding, and the parties to the case are required to comply.

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[CougarKing]

More to give North Korea and China pause:

Defense News

Japan Secures SM-2 Missiles for Destroyers


TAIPEI, Taiwan — The US State Department has approved an $821 million sale of 246 Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) air defense missiles for deployment on Japan’s four Kongo-class and two Atago-class destroyers.

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The missiles are Raytheon-built RIM-66M-09 SM-2 Block IIIB vertical launching tactical all-up rounds. The deal also includes MK 13 MOD O vertical launching system canisters.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

More to give North Korea and China pause:

Defense News

Not really.

They are just replacing/updating the older Block IIIA those destroyers already carry with the IIIB's. The main advantage of the Bs over the As is better detection/engagement capability against low altitude/sea skimming missiles. Nothing here that would cause any special concern for the Chinese or NKs.

 

[CougarKing]

A new SSM for Japan?

Guardian

Japan To Develop Missiles As Tension with China Mounts

Japan will develop a new land-to-sea missile as part of plans to beef up its defence of remote southern islands, as tensions with China increase over the disputed territory, a report said Sunday.

Tokyo plans to deploy the weapon, which reportedly will have a range of 300km (190 miles) on islands such as Miyako in Okinawa prefecture, the top-selling Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said, without citing sources.

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