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Despite appearances, Japan insists Izumo is not an aircraft carrier

: Jan 16, 2014 - : 11:44 am

izumo-destroyer

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s newest ship has a flight deck its entire length, yet Japan insists it is not an aircraft carrier.

With a length of about 250 meters and standard displacement of 19,500 tons, the Izumo is the biggest ship in the Japanese fleet. Up to nine helicopters can land on its deck at the same time.

Even so, the Defense Ministry and MSDF insist the Izumo, which was launched last summer, is simply a destroyer capable of carrying helicopters.

Military journalist Shinichi Kiyotani said: “Under international standards, it is nothing less than an aircraft carrier. The government is gradually expanding its interpretation because it is afraid it could become a political problem.”

For its part, Jane’s Fighting Ships, a reference book on all the world’s warships released annually in Britain, describes the Izumo as a helicopter carrier.

The Izumo is scheduled to replace the destroyer Shirane based at the MSDF base in Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture, in spring 2015. The Shirane has a standard displacement of 5,200 tons.

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