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Japan sends biggest warship to protect US supply vessel | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Japan has dispatched its biggest warship, in the first such operation since it passed controversial laws expanding the role of its military. | |
The helicopter carrier Izumo is escorting a US supply vessel heading to refuel the naval fleet in the region. | The helicopter carrier Izumo is escorting a US supply vessel heading to refuel the naval fleet in the region. |
The ships include the Carl Vinson aircraft carrier group which was sent to the Korean peninsula. | |
North Korea has threatened to sink the Carl Vinson and a US submarine, amid rising tensions in the region. | |
It also carried out a failed missile test on Sunday, despite repeated warnings from the US and others to stop its nuclear and missile activity. | It also carried out a failed missile test on Sunday, despite repeated warnings from the US and others to stop its nuclear and missile activity. |
The 249m-long Izumo can carry up to nine helicopters, and resembles US amphibious assault carriers, reported The Japan Times. | |
Kyodo news agency said it was leaving its base in Yokosuka south of Tokyo to join the US supply ship, and accompany it to Shikoku in western Japan. | |
The Izumo is the first warship deployed outside of exercises, under new laws passed in 2015 that allow Japan to come to the aid of an ally under attack. | |
Critics say these laws violate Japan's post-World War Two pacifist constitution, which underlines its military policy known as "collective self-defence". | |
They have also argued that the laws could lead the country into unnecessary wars. | |
The Izumo's deployment follows recent joint exercises conducted by Japan and the US, and other naval developments amid increased tensions. | |
A French amphibious assault ship arrived in south-west Japan on Saturday for an exercise also involving Japanese, US and British naval forces. | |
China last week also launched its second large aircraft carrier. | |
South Korea has been conducting joint exercises with the US as well. | South Korea has been conducting joint exercises with the US as well. |