The importance of ASW capability in the Western Pacific has not waned. On the contrary, recent illegal violation of Japanese territorial waters by Chinese nuclear submarines suggests that, rather than being reduced, ASW capability should be built up further.
反潜艇能力的削弱是一个问题。日本需要发展平衡的、能回击新的威胁（如中国海军的迅速壮大，特别是其潜艇力量）的防卫部队。西太平洋上反潜艇能力的重要性没有降低。相反，最近中国核潜艇非法侵入日本领海的行为表明，反潜艇能力不但不应该削减，反而应该进一步增强。