Japan's Fake Destroyer Hiding a Massive Secret

Despite being labeled a Destroyer, Japan’s Izumo-class ship is hiding a deadly secret for China.

At first glance, the Izumo is, more specifically, a helicopter destroyer, and the largest Japanese naval vessel since World War 2. But a closer look—the expansive deck, the capability to house the stealth F-35Bs—paints a clearer picture: it is nothing less than a covert aircraft carrier.

As such, it's no surprise that Chinese officials have expressed shock and concern. To them, these are not just mere destroyers, but spiritual successors to Imperial Japan's carriers, readied for potential encounters fiercer than those of the Pacific's past.

Except this time, America’s stealth fighters and Japan’s aircraft carriers are preparing to do battle on the same side. And China does not like it one bit.

[davidsquall]

Love how they named the other ship Kaga....in the old days the Kaga was a battleship then a carrier too :)

[BulletRain]

For those who don't understand the naming, Japan uses a similar naming convention to the United States. Izumo and Kaga are both Japanese provinces, and historically battleships were named after provinces. It's just like how American battleships were named after states. The previous class of helicopter destroyers, Hyuga and Ise, are also provinces and names of WWII battleships. The Japanese names for ships sound much more distinctive because of how foreign they are that we don't realize they use the same naming convention. If you've been to Japan and wonder why you haven't heard of these provinces is because Japan switch to a system of prefectures early in the Meiji Restoration but the Japanese Navy has always chosen to go with the classic names even to this day. A good example is the amphibious assault ship JS Osumi. It was a ship commissioned in 1998 that is named after a historic province that has never been used before for a ship name.

[jakerocinante]

Good for Japan, it’s been almost 80 years since the end of WW2 and Japan has become a solid trade partner and Ally in the region. If they want more offensive surface ships and submarines let them build them, I’d even be fine with them building a super carrier like the Ford class, more weight off our backs

[hua]

Its not really covert...they have been pretty public about converting the Izumo to a light carrier for a while now. There was even a very public debate about whether it would violate the Japanese constitutional provision against offensive military capabilities.

[jonathonhass]

It is time for Japan to do what is necessary to remove article 9 from their constitution. They have earned the right to reconstitute their complete armed forces with proper names. They’ve earned the right to no longer call their forces “self defense force”.

[mwmentor]

Seems like a good idea to me for Japan to equip itself with modern naval vessels with multiple competencies in the face of an ever-increasing, and aggressively expanding neighbor in the form of China. If the Chinese don't like it, perhaps they should tone down their stance, but I don't think that's likely... 🤔

[Overneed-Belkan-Witch]

Japan still never failed to impress the world with its technological advancement

[Bob-qkzg]

I'm the 1980s, my father worked in Foreign Military Sales for the US Army. Specifically, he sold the Hawk missile system. He had closed a deal with Japan and had to attend a drunken party his hosts threw to celebrate. A Japanese admiral got too drunk and said something; he was immediately ushered out of the room. My dad asked the interpreter what he said. "He was demanding that Japan build aircraft carriers rather than buying missiles."
Well, that was then and this is now.

[tomawen]

The pioneers in naval carrier aviation were, respectively, Japan, the United States of America and Great Britain. The Japanese were leaders and their surprise attack at Pearl Harbor was a reflection of massing six carriers and 350 warplanes for a massive strike. Britain's adroit use of their small carriers in 1982 shows that the Japanese carriers of today can be very lethal against anything the Chinese can use.

[williamcarey]

As far as I am concerned the Japanese have the right to do this. Japan is looking out for Japan!!

The Chinese Navy has continued to grow and expand over the last two decades so Japan has the right to defend themselves in any way possible including the slightly more offensive weapons capability.

[revvingnoodle]

Now that Kaga exists in the fleet, what would happen if another carrier is launched and is named Akagi, and in the future we have the Enterprise cvn-80 sailing along side the modern day Kaga and Akagi in the pacific

[RetiredSailor]

Liked my 4 month stay in Yokosuka Japan in 1986 while deployed on USS Cape Cod AD 43.

[michaeleasterwood]

The deep friendship that exists between the US and Japan is good for the free world.

[PaulJohnson-vneh]

Japan has every right to defend themselves.

[recker]

I don’t blame Japan especially with how China’s been acting lately.

[navyreviewer]

China's navy should be more worried about Japan's submarines.

[timlinator]

As an American who has visited Japan several times I am happy to see this.

[pacfic]

Well, they called one Kaga, so I don’t think they were being very sneaky at all. Akagi, Soryu and Hiryu are sure to follow.

[markwoods]

I'm from England UK, I'm glad Japan is one of closest allies and even happier that they've been spending on there military especially Aircraft Carriers lets be clear these Helicopter Carrier are Aircraft Carriers in reality . With the US and UK both having bases in Japan this will only make Japan stronger against China and that's a good thing for the World.

[michaelpfister]

It is fitting that the first fixed-wing aircraft to operate from a Japanese naval vessel were piloted by Marines. It is time we welcome the Japanese Navy fully back into service as our allies and friends.