Japan is making bold moves to change its anti-war culture. That’s not by choice. It’s out of necessity. Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is enhancing its size and capabilities because Tokyo fears that China’s military growth over the last decade is becoming a direct threat to Japan. 

This is especially so as Tokyo’s leaders begin asking whether the incoming Trump administration in Washington, D.C., is as committed to traditional American allies, such as Taiwan or Japan, as previous US administrations were. Plus, North Korea is clearly breaking out of its strategic box because of the collapse of South Korea’s political order and its growing military ties with Russia. Amid these threats, Japan will need to take a stronger military stance in the region.

Understanding the Sub

One such system that the Japanese are building a small fleet of Taigei-class (known in Japan as 29SS) attack submarines. It means “Big Whale” in Japanese and is an evolution from the Sōnyū-class submarines. The new sub incorporates lessons learned and technological advancements from the older Sōnyū-class.

The Taigei-class submarines are meant to focus on stealth, endurance, and performance, all of which are aimed at countering both China and North Korea’s navy. In fact, as Russia becomes more involved in the Pacific, these submarines could be useful in countering Russian Navy threats to Japan as well.

Taigei-class submarines are non-nuclear-powered submarines, meaning they’re more affordable, but they lack the endurance of nuclear-powered subs. Make no mistake, though: the Japanese are building the Taigei-class submarines to endure many hardships at sea. These submarines are some of the most sophisticated systems ever built by a modern navy and will be a true challenger to China’s naval buildup—especially if they are deployed in conjunction with allied navies. 

Some Interesting Specs

Indeed, the Japanese have equipped these submarines with lithium-ion batteries, which both enhances Taigei-class submarine stealth (such power centers are extra quiet when underwater) and allow for greater endurance over other non-nuclear battery systems. 

The Taigei-class submarines can be used for important surveillance missions, which will be essential for Tokyo in the strategic environment going forward; Japan will need greater situational awareness to be able to counter the Chinese, North Korean, and even Russian threats to their territorial waters.

According to the specifications for the Taigei-class, these submarines can deploy UGM-84L Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles, giving Japan a significant counterattack capability. Moreover, they can launch the new Type 18 torpedoes, which offer improvements on target detection and propulsion over their Type 89 predecessors. In essence, this submarine is an enhancement of what came before in every way possible. 

An Anti-A2/AD System

Crucially to the United States, Japanese defense planners have claimed that their new Taigei-class submarines are specifically intended to counteract China’s aggressive anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities. Beijing has arrayed these systems across the arc of the Indo-Pacific, notably in places like the South China Sea. However, China is also prepared to deploy them from its coastal areas to the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan, where they pose a true threat to US military power projection.

Washington has struggled to devise systems and tactics that can penetrate the so-called bubbles that China’s A2/AD networks would create over contested areas in the Indo-Pacific. Such bubbles would negate the ability of the Americans to deploy forces to within striking distance of China.

American naval strategists have already surmised that submarines would be one key platform used to penetrate those bubbles. Yet, the United States is going through a shipbuilding crisis that is negatively impacting their vital submarine force. By having a small fleet of Taigei-class subs at the ready, in place in the Indo-Pacific, the American ability to pierce those Chinese A2/AD bubbles would be considerably enhanced. 

Last October, Japan triumphantly announced they had launched a fifth Taigei-class submarine. Their goal is to have a fleet of 22 submarines, with the Taigei-class playing a pivotal role in that pending force structure. Such a commitment underscores Japan’s intent to counter serious regional threats—and to ensure that they will not be left in the lurch should the Americans prove unable on their own.

Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a Senior Fellow at the Center for the National Interest, and a contributor at Popular Mechanics, consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.

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