Japan has a second helicopter carrier after the Izumo.

Japan's second-largest helicopter carrier, named Kaga, has been commissioned, giving the country's military greater capabilities for offshore deployment as Tokyo attempts to push back against China's growing influence in Asia.

The helicopter carrier Kaga at its handover ceremony in Yokohama on March 22 (Photo: Reuters)

According to Reuters, commanders of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force have just taken delivery of the 248-meter-long ship at the Japan Marine United shipyard in Yokohama, near Tokyo, where Kaga is docked alongside its sister ship, Izumo.

"China is seeking changes in the South China Sea through bases and actions that increase pressure to alter the status quo, causing security concerns in the international community," said Japanese Vice Defense Minister Takayuki Kobayashi at the ship's acceptance ceremony, attended by approximately 500 people.

Kaga is Japan's second Izumo-class helicopter carrier (Photo: Reuters)

In 2015, Japan commissioned the helicopter carrier Izumo, the first ship of the Izumo class and Japan's largest warship.

Japan's two largest warships since World War II are the most powerful symbols of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts to give the military a greater international role. The Izumo and Kaga are designated helicopter destroyers to comply with constitutional limitations, which prohibit the possession of offensive weapons.

In its biggest display of naval power in international waters in over 70 years, Japan plans to send the Izumo on a three-month voyage through the South China Sea this May, anonymous sources told Reuters earlier.

Members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force at the ceremony to receive the Kaga (Photo: Reuters)

China unilaterally claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion worth of goods pass annually. Beijing's increasing military presence in this vital waterway has caused concern in both Tokyo and Washington. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam all have territorial claims in the South China Sea. Japan has no territorial claims there, but is embroiled in a territorial dispute over an archipelago in the East China Sea.

The commissioning of Kaga means that Japan will be able to conduct overseas operations more frequently in the future. Kaga will be docked in Kure City in western Japan, home to Japan's most famous World War II battleship, Yamato. Meanwhile, Izumo is based in Yokosuka near Tokyo, also home to the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan of Japan's 7th Fleet.

Helicopter carriers Izumo and Kaga (Photo: Reuters)

Japanese helicopter carriers can carry up to nine helicopters. They operate similarly to U.S. Marine Corps amphibious assault ships, but lack the open bays for launching landing craft and other vessels.

In addition, Japan is also adding longer-range patrol aircraft and military aircraft to its defense capabilities, and purchasing F-35 fighter jets, amphibious assault vehicles, and Osprey transport aircraft, which can operate from Izumo and Kaga.

According to Dantri