The United States is helping Japan build its first aircraft carriers since World War II in the face of China's threat

The United States helps Japan build its first postwar aircraft carriers. A Japanese helicopter carrier currently being converted into a light aircraft carrier has arrived in California for flight tests.

San Diego Web Cam, a channel with live streaming webcam views of the city and its bay, captured this Arrival of JS Kaga on Saturday, shrouded in thick fog. The Japanese ship has a displacement of 19,950 tons and is 813 feet long.

The Kaga was built as the second Japanese Izumo-class helicopter destroyer and entered service in 2017. It bears the name of the aircraft carrier from the Second World War Kagawho took part in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

According to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kaga will conduct flight tests of F-35B fighter jets off San Diego, including short takeoff and vertical landing.

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, a U.S. Department of Defense program office that leads the lifecycle program management of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft, confirmed this Newsweek that the Kaga will conduct F-35B development tests in the Eastern Pacific.

The test team will conduct safe and efficient flight tests in collaboration with US allies, the office said.

“The tests will pave the way for improved interoperability with our allies,” it said.

Newsweek also emailed the Japanese Defense Ministry for comment.

In 2018, Japan approved new defense program guidelines that include modification of its two Izumo-class warships – the Kaga and its sister ship JS Izumo— among the country's first aircraft carriers since World War II to carry U.S.-developed stealthy F-35B fighter jets.

Japan's decision to convert its helicopter destroyers into aircraft carriers came amid the expansion of China's warship fleet – now the largest in the world by hull count – and naval activity in the Western Pacific, including near Japan's southwestern waters.

The move was criticized by China, which was invaded by Japan during World War II. Beijing has claimed that Tokyo could be violating its pacifist constitution, which provided the legal basis for the country's adherence to peaceful postwar development.

Under the Constitution, Japan is prohibited from having “offensive weapons” that can only be used for the mass destruction of another country, including “attack aircraft carriers,” as these would go directly beyond the definition of the “minimum level necessary” for self-defense. Defense.

However, the country's 2018 defense program guidelines state that the modified Izumo-class warships will continue to be used as “multi-role destroyers” in missions such as defending the country. In addition, they have no permanently assigned fighter aircraft squadrons. The procurement of the F-35B is part of the Izumo-class conversion plan.

Only a limited number of airfields on Japan's southwestern islands can support takeoffs and landings of conventional fighter aircraft. The islands' close proximity to Taiwan, considered a breakaway province by China, means that these remote Japanese islands could easily be reached by Chinese ballistic and cruise missiles if used to support American military operations in a Taiwan conflict.

Owning aircraft carriers will allow Japan greater flexibility in its fighter operations in the contested East China Sea, where it has territorial disputes with China. Tokyo has planned to purchase 42 F-35B fighter jets for its Air Self-Defense Force.

In October 2021 the Izumo conducted its first flight test with an F-35B off the coast of Japan. The Kaga completed the first phase of its conversion work in March, converting its trapezoidal bow into a rectangle to facilitate the use of fighter jets on board.

Improvements also included the application of a heat-resistant coating to the flight deck Izumo and the Kaga Now they resemble US Navy amphibious assault ships, which also use the F-35B. Both Japanese warships are expected to carry combat aircraft by 2027.

In addition to a fleet of 11 standard aircraft carriers in service, the U.S. Navy also operates nine amphibious assault ships capable of piloting fighter aircraft. China has commissioned three aircraft carriers and three operational amphibious assault ships.

Update 10/8/24, 11:45 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office.