The Australian, Australia's national daily newspaper, quoted me again.

Thanks much, Rick Wallace-san! Cheers, Kosuke

China fear sees Japan rush for submarines
Rick Wallace, Tokyo correspondent
The Australian October 22, 2010 12:00AM

SPOOKED by China's recent territorial belligerence, Tokyo plans to increase the size of its submarine fleet by six to 22.

Japanese Defence Ministry officials detailed the plans yesterday, saying their defence forces should have a greater capacity for vigilance in nearby waters, especially the East China Sea.

The recent dispute between Beijing and Tokyo was sparked by the arrest of a Chinese trawler skipper who Japan suspected of fishing illegally near the disputed Senkaku Islands last month.

The two Asian powers have been squabbling over these East China Sea islands for decades, after China tried to claim them when a substantial oil and gas reserve was found in nearby waters.

Japan's plan to expand the submarine fleet is expected to be included in the country's new defence program running from next year to 2015.

It has a huge public sector debt level, and will continue buying submarines at the rate of about one a year while delaying the decommissioning of existing subs in order to build the fleet.

Local media reported the ministry was considering eliminating some minesweepers and other vessels to save money.
Kosuke Takahashi, a Tokyo correspondent for Jane's Defence Weekly, told The Australian the bigger fleet was about providing insurance in case China developed an aircraft carrier.

It was also designed to stop (or at least keep track of) increasing incursions into Japanese waters by Chinese submarines.

The Chinese navy is also reported to be expanding its 60-strong submarine fleet.