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| Japan sends biggest warship to protect US supply vessel | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 known as "collective self-defence". | |
| Critics say these laws violate Japan's post-World War Two pacifist constitution. 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |