Japan's defense chief says de facto aircraft carrier 'vital' to security

Kishi inspects JS Izumo as it prepares to host F-35Bs at sea

An American F-35B fighter lands on the helicopter carrier JS Izumo in waters near Shikoku, Japan, on Oct 3. (Ministry of Defense handout via Kyodo)

JUNNOSUKE KOBARA, Nikkei security affairs editor

November 9, 2021 07:17 JST

YOKOSUKA, Japan -- Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi inspected the Maritime Self-Defense Force's JS Izumo helicopter carrier at Yokosuka Base in Kanagawa Prefecture on Monday, receiving updates on the vessel's conversion to host cutting-edge fighters.

The 248-meter-long Izumo's deck is being refurbished to accommodate takeoffs and landings by F-35B fighters, making the vessel a de facto aircraft carrier. Like the warship's helicopters, the F-35B is capable of short takeoff and vertical landing.