Japan's largest warship visits Sri Lanka

Can this actually be called a "warship"? Japan does not have a military and cannot engage in war (per the constitution). The SDF is part of the police agency.

I'm glad to see them use the real Japanese flag instead of the war flag.

How is this self defense. More like intimidation.

Many Taiwanese are wondering why Nippon is sending the Kaga to faraway Sri Lanka while religiously skirting the most Nippon-friendly ROC-TW which is also threatened by China?

 The SDF is part of the police agency.

Yes, that may have been true in the 50’s when the SDF was called the Keisatsu-Yobitai (Police reserve forces).

However, after being reformed as the Jieitai, they are under command of the Ministry of Defense and are a completely different institution from the Police Agency.

How is this self defense. More like intimidation.

And claiming other nation’s national waters and militarizing them is spreading goodwill? Threatening other nations with “nuclear destruction” is a friendly diplomatic gesture?

gokai_wo_manekuToday  07:50 am JST

Can this actually be called a "warship"? Japan does not have a military and cannot engage in war (per the constitution). The SDF is part of the police agency.

No it's not. While the JSDF's original predecessor was the National Police Reserve formed in 1950, it became reorganized as the National Safety Force in 1952. in 1954 it came under the control of the National Defense Board. It then became under the Defense Agency then Defense Ministry.

DisillusionedOct. 2 09:41 am JST

I'm glad to see them use the real Japanese flag instead of the war flag.

The 16 rayed flag is not a "war flag". It is the naval ensign and rest assured it flies on the stern of every JMSDF vessel including that Kaga. Let's try to get our facts straight.

Can this actually be called a "warship"? Japan does not have a military and cannot engage in war (per the constitution). The SDF is part of the police agency.

On which 'knowledge' is this nonsense based on?