Does Japan have aircraft carriers?

Japan’s aircraft carriers

Does Japan have aircraft carriers?

Japan does not have an aircraft carrier capable of taking off and landing fighter aircraft.

That said, technically, Japan has four “helicopter destroyers,” which are often referred to as “aircraft carriers” by some other countries. These ships are designed only to carry and operate helicopters for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and transport purposes. However, they can also accommodate and launch fixed-wing aircraft, such as the F-35B fighter jet, which is capable of short takeoff and vertical landing.

The Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) currently has four helicopter-carrying destroyers (DDH) (helicopter carriers). The concept of possessing helicopter carriers and light aircraft carriers capable of carrying fixed-wing aircraft has been considered many times since the days of the Maritime Guard, the predecessor of the MSDF.

Helicopter destroyers “Izumo” and “Kaga”  are two of the largest warships in the JMSDF and are primarily used for defense purposes in the Asia-Pacific region. However, Japan’s constitution prohibits the country from possessing offensive military capabilities, so the aircraft carried by these vessels are primarily intended for defensive purposes.

The Izumo-class helicopter destroyers, which are often described as Japan’s “aircraft carriers,” are multi-purpose ships that were originally built to replace Japan’s aging fleet of anti-submarine warfare destroyers. They were commissioned in 2015 and 2017, respectively, and have a full load displacement of around 27,000 tons.

These ships can carry up to 28 helicopters, including transport and attack helicopters, and they have a large flight deck with two elevators that can accommodate simultaneous takeoffs and landings. They also have a well deck that can be used to deploy amphibious vehicles and personnel.

In addition to their primary role as helicopter carriers, the Izumo-class ships are also equipped with a variety of defensive and offensive weapons systems, including anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles, torpedoes, and a Phalanx close-in weapon system.

While Japan’s possession of “aircraft carriers” has raised some concerns among neighboring countries, particularly China, Japan has maintained that these ships are strictly for defensive purposes and are intended to enhance Japan’s ability to respond to a variety of security threats in the region.

Largest helicopter destroyers are being upgraded to aircraft carriers

As of October, 2023, two Izumo-class ships are being upgraded to be able to carry and operate the F-35B stealth fighter aircraft as needed, with operations scheduled to begin in 2024. Once the refit is complete, Japan will have a de facto aircraft carrier.