Aircraft Carrier The other day, I read a news article that US aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan left California for Yokosuka, Japan. Then I thought why Japan does not have an aircraft carrier. I do not know the correct answer yet, but as I surfed the Internet I realized that it seems Japan does not need the huge ship which can carry dozens of fighter planes. Japan has an army which is called Self Defense Forces (JSDF). However, Japanese constitution does not allow Japan to solve any international troubles with military force. Japan can use its military only when other countries attack her. Therefore, the Japanese government thinks that JSDF does not need an aircraft carrier because Japan’s air force uses its fighter jets only when other countries’ armies come to Japanese property to invade it. I think you may wonder “but, if other countries attack Japan, JSDF needs to destroy their military bases in their countries as well, otherwise they keep attacking Japan. It is not enough to protect its property.” Some Japanese people think so too. On the other hand, some Japanese are afraid of the government making the same mistake as the Empire of Japan did like invading and colonizing other countries. They are against Japan of having any military. I have never thought about aircraft carriers before. Whenever I see them on TV I just think it is huge. Perhaps most Japanese people are the same as me.