On August 6 last week the MSDF unveiled its new helicopter “destroyer,” the Izumo (22DDH). While much media and diplomatic fuss has been made about this being an “aircraft carrier in disguise” with potentially “offensive” applications, there are some legal, practical, and future considerations that need to be understood for a balanced discussion of its significance to take place. Following on from the discussion in the previous instalment of this series, the question that one should reflect upon is whether the Izumo could be regarded as “war potential” given that many regard aircraft carriers to be exclusively offensive in nature....