A more equitable fortification compromise

The proposed revision retains the ban on entirely new overseas fortifications but allows existing repair and maintenance facilities to modernize within their current footprint and with full disclosure to the other signatories. A limit on total area could be stretched by building upwards or downwards, so it would not prevent every increase in capacity. Coastal defences could be improved to the equivalent of cruiser armament, with a maximum gun calibre of eight inches and no proposed limit on the number of those guns. A base could therefore deter cruiser raids and resist initial operations while remaining vulnerable to a committed battle fleet. Japan could gain reassurance from being able to strengthen its islands, even though those positions would offer limited protection against capital ships.