Japan's defense spending raises more than eyebrows

Japan has been sending contradictory messages about its biggest warship, the Izumo, this week.

On Monday, Japanese media revealed that Japan is considering refitting the helicopter carrier so that it can carry the United States' F-35B stealth fighters, with a senior Defense Ministry official quoted as saying, "if it is used for defense purposes, it will not fall under the category of an aircraft carrier with attack capabilities", something prohibited under Japan's so-called pacifist Constitution.

One day later, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera denied the reports, saying "no concrete examination" on the introduction of the F-35B or refitting the Izumo is underway.