In order to compensate for the time lost in the process of US ships in Japan returning to the USA for MRO, the possibility of these ships receiving MRO service in Japanese shipyards is on the agenda.
Defense Minister Kihara touched upon the repair and maintenance of US destroyers and aircraft in Japan in his speech at the Hudson Institute think tank during his visit to the USA.
The Japanese Minister stated that they will comprehensively discuss the proposal to obtain MRO service in Japan’s shipyards and hangars for the maintenance of US destroyers and warplanes.
“Conducting MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) on US destroyers and warplanes in Japan is very important for Japan-US defense cooperation,” Kihara said. said.
Stating that they will “consider this going forward”, Kihara stated that they will examine the possibility of utilizing private Japanese shipyards and hangars to reduce the backlog.
US Ambassador to Tokyo Rahm Israel Emanuel had brought up that US elements could undergo maintenance in Japanese shipyards to counter maintenance and repair bottlenecks in the US.