Future Subs to Correct Old Myth - Part 1

Background
After WW2 there was a popular notion among U.S. consumers that the Japanese culture was excellent at copying, but poor at innovating.

That myth persisted almost to the end of the last century:
January 31, 1988 - (AP)   Famed Inventor Seeks to Dispel Belief That Japanese Are Copiers, Not Innovators

Upper echelon WW2 veterans, particularly submariners, knew the myth was in fact false. but dared not contradict it.  It would be up to Japanese industrial giants like to prove again their subperb skills in both reverse engineering and innovation to U.S. consumers.  Read about some of Nishizawa's and Watanabe's accomplishments, then ask yourself who has probably been copying whom. 

Current Matters
June 10, 2014 - (Duowei News)  Japan to help Australia build new submarine

"Itsunori Onodera, the Japanese defense minister, has announced that an agreement has been reached between Tokyo and Canberra for Japan to help Australia build new submarines...

Selling submarine technology to Australia does not only mean good business for major Japanese defense industry contractors such as Mitsubishi and Kawasaki but this is also the first time Japan will export advanced weapons systems since World War II, he said

Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the United States have formed a framework in the Asia-Pacific to contain and constrain Chinese maritime expansion into the Central Pacific and the Indian Ocean, the defense minister said. Japan is also working to sell advanced patrol boats to Vietnam and the Philippines which are engaged in territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea."

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M.E. Note:   Onodera said that at the Australian government's request Johnston is going to visit a Japanese submarine while he is in Japan.  As the average height of a Japanese male is 7.4 cm less than that of the average Australian male, one modification is already apparent.

Other than such obvious structural considerations we can only imagine what innovative electronics technologies may be incorporated into Australia's new subs. Without the burdens of nuclear propulsion costs and related live-in operating technicians the agreement with Japan portends some very enviable vessels. 

 

Unlike Australia's Collins class, we see and hear little about the actual capabilities of Japan's sub fleet.  The Australian Government has committed to building the $40 billion replacement for its Collins-class submarines at home.

Submarines are always silent and strange.