The argument is not limited to Britain. Japan planned an expansionist maritime war while depending on vulnerable sea communications, yet the treaty allowed it to build many slower escort hulls without consuming destroyer tonnage. A nominally treaty-compliant ship could exploit the same displacement ambiguities Japan used elsewhere while remaining designed for 20 knots and without torpedoes. A vessel near 1,500 tons could trade speed and torpedo armament for endurance, sensors, depth charges, and useful wartime upgrade space.
Notable Point · 12:18-15:11
Japan's missed escort opportunity
Japan also could have exploited the exemption to build numerous destroyer-sized ASW escorts for an island economy exposed to submarine attack.