American thinktank Stratfor commented that Japan and South Korea will face limitations in the pursue of an aircraft carrier program due to limited resources.
By Kaijō Jieitai （海上自衛隊 / Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force） (http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/jmp/201612.html) [CC BY 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Both North Asian countries will have carrier fleets that are smaller in size than China’s eventual carrier fleet but the developments are important for the two countries as it will help “their navies to better defend their sea lanes, to conduct strikes on distant land targets and to bolster air defense for their fleets.”