Japan Is Set To Deploy Its First Aircraft Carriers Since World War II

Japanese Navy carrier Izumo, photographed in 2016. She will be modified to support F-35 jets.JMSDF

Forbes: Japan To Get First Aircraft Carriers Since World War II

Japan is set to deploy its first aircraft carriers since World War II. The Japanese Navy will modernize two helicopter destroyers into de facto aircraft carriers. This will increase the number of carrier operators in the Asia-Pacific region.

Historically the Imperial Japanese Navy placed a heavy emphasis on aircraft carriers. The Hōshō, when she was commissioned on December 27, 1922, was the first purpose built aircraft carrier in the world. Going into the Battle of Midway in June 1942 Japan had the largest aircraft carrier fleet in the world. This did not last. By the end of the war many carriers had been sunk, mostly by the U.S. Navy. After the war the remaining carriers were scrapped and Japan entered a period of disarmament, adopting a Constitution in 1947 that forbade the maintenance of forces that could wage war.

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WNU Editor: It is amazing how the times have changed. Thirty years ago it was inconceivable that Japan would have aircraft carriers. Today the debate is not only to modify two helicopter aircraft carriers to become de-facto aircraft carriers, but to build even more.

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