Indeed. They are the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, and have no need for projecting power offensively. Obviously if they are attacked in some way they can then use their carriers with whatever is on them to counter attack i assume.
Ideal for carrying out emergency and relief operations elswhere in the Pacific or a base for peacekeeping duties using helicopters of which Japan has been engaged in quite a lot recently.
I think you'll find that also they have took the plunge in constructing these carriers in a mellow response to China's new 40,000ton carriers being constructed for around 2010.