Japan's treaty exceptions for minelayers and training ships

Article 12 writes Japan's exceptions directly into the treaty. Before 31 December 1936, Japan could replace Aso and Tokiwa with two minelayers of no more than 5,000 tons and 20 knots, treated as special vessels outside combatant tonnage. The old minelayers had to be disposed of when their replacements were complete. Kasuga would be disposed of after the first three Kuma-class cruisers were replaced, while those cruisers could remain as reduced training ships outside limited tonnage. The clause shows how negotiators tailored general limits to named ships and national arrangements.