Japan to speed up frigate building for East China Sea patrols

The change is meant to ensure naval shipyards remain open.

Navies have become increasingly important, especially in the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. China has been building its naval forces, both military and commercial, and building support infrastructure throughout those regions while Japan was stuck back in the bubble years (and the US was off and remains off spending trillions fighting losing battles around the world).

Playing catch up because the government was unable to plan effectively is expensive and will cost the taxpayers even more.

The new ships will cost 40-50 billion yen ($353-$443 million) each, another of the sources said.

That's 70 billion, then.

At least these ships will create employment for one year Hope they never be needed for conflict.

It's almost too late and too little. But it's better late than never and better little than nothing.

Better go ahead and build bigger and more powerful ships for when you'll need them later don't you think?