Why did Shirane retain two 5-inch guns?

Why did the Shirane class retain two 5-inch guns despite its helicopter and command roles?

The second gun provided flexible firepower against shore targets, small boats, and other threats around Japan's islands. A specialized missile could be better for a particular engagement, while a gun remained useful across different situations.

The second 5-inch gun on a helicopter command ship reflects Japan's combination of open-ocean sea-lane requirements and island geography. Land targets, small boats, and short littoral fights are situations where additional gunfire creates options. A specialized missile may be better for one particular engagement, but a naval gun offers a workable answer across many different threats. Shirane therefore accepts the weight of another gun to retain flexible firepower alongside helicopters, command facilities, and ASW systems.