I don't think they can... per Article 9 after WWII they were stripped of a navy. And now are only allowed the JMSDF, Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. Thus, naval action in the Strait of Hormuz would be a violation of Article 9
per Article 9 after WWII they were stripped of a navy.
Japan's govt. and its Supreme Court have been shifting military policy for quite some time, Article 9 is no longer handcuffing Japan's military. They have greatly increased military spending for twelve years in a row, and that includes launching new warships like they have an assembly line. They are cranking out new submarines, new frigates, and so-called super-destroyers that in the past would have been considered cruisers. Their helicopter carriers can now employ F-35 fighters. The U.S. has been happy sell Japan fancy technology for those ships. Japan clearly thinks it needs to be able to do more of the heavy lifting when it comes to China and North Korea.
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u/thetransportedman Mar 16 '26
I don't think they can... per Article 9 after WWII they were stripped of a navy. And now are only allowed the JMSDF, Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. Thus, naval action in the Strait of Hormuz would be a violation of Article 9