The Hyuga, an axial-decked, aviation-optimized, haze-gray warship -- marked with helicopter landing spots -- is not an aircraft carrier. It is a "helicopter destroyer." Japanese Maritime Self-Defense ForceFrom Military Times:
The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force launched its latest Hyuga-class “helicopter destroyer,” — ahem — this month, which has revived attention to Japan’s gray, flat-decked, aviation-optimized warships that are NOT aircraft carriers. The latest ship, Ise, is the second in the class and is scheduled to formally join the MSDF in 2011.
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Update #1: Japan Seeks A New Class Of Larger Carriers -- Strategy Page
Update #2: Missile defense system upgrade, new helicopter carrier part of defense budget -- Mainichi
My Comment: This is laying the groundwork for a bigger fleet in the years to come.
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