Japan unveils largest warship since World War II

AP ^ | Aug 6, 2013 | ERIC TALMADGE

[Freeport]

YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) -- Japan on Tuesday unveiled its biggest warship since World War II, a huge flat-top destroyer that has raised eyebrows in China and elsewhere because it bears a strong resemblance to a conventional aircraft carrier.

The ship, which has a flight deck that is nearly 250 meters (820 feet) long, is designed to carry up to 14 helicopters. Japanese officials say it will be used in national defense - particularly in anti-submarine warfare and border-area surveillance missions - and to bolster the nation's ability to transport personnel and supplies in response to large-scale natural disasters, like the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

Though the ship - dubbed "Izumo" - has been in the works since 2009, its unveiling comes as Japan and China are locked in a dispute over several small islands located between southern Japan and Taiwan. For months, ships from both countries have been conducting patrols around the isles, called the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyutai in China.

[Freeport]

As to the "14" helo's, AP doesn't even know it's in a white out, the snow job is comming down so fast! As to the ability to add a ski-jump, look at the nose of the ship. I suspect it would take the Japanese less than a month to add one.

[AnAmericanAbroad]

Here's a photo of it.

[TheRhinelander]

Anything that makes China sweat is good.

[Timber Rattler]

They should have named it Kaga or Akagi.

[glorgau]

It’s got a tow hitch up front...

[sickoflibs]

Asian Ping!

[glorgau]

The Izumo does not have catapults for launching fighters,

Does it have any catapults for the helicopters?

[JRios1968]

I’m not a Navy guy, but that looks like a CARRIER to me!

[knarf]

What’s with the red, white and blue bunting ?

[Freeport]

Er no... Anchors.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I see the “Rising Sun” flag on the bow. The libs are gonna $hit bricks.

[jaydubya2]

Is it a nuke?

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

Not red white and blue. Those are the colors of the Chrysanthemum Throne - The House of the Emperor.

[Salgak]

I won't be impressed until they build this (evil grin)

[BwanaNdege]

a huge flat-top destroyer

It is called an LPH - Landing Platform Helicopter. A Destroyer is long & narrow and much smaller.

(idiot AP writers)

IIRC, China just launched an LPH, but I cannot find the story.

[0.E.O]

It’s got a tow hitch up front...

The technical term for that is 'anchor'.

[knarf]

Thanx .. I didn’t know

[The Working Man]

Personally I like it, a nice clean design.

[Mouton]

Not long ago someone here on Freepers corrected my notion of the Japanese Navy citing to me they were one of the best Navies in the world right now. I thank them for that info and am glad at least one nation knows it is not wise to disarm in the face of worldwide danger.

Now if they would just build some “defensive” nukes.

[0.E.O]

Is it a nuke?

Conventional.