Prime Minister Shinzo Abe essentially acknowledged the government is considering converting the destroyer Izumo into an aircraft carrier at a House of Councillors Budget Committee meeting on Friday. "It's natural that we'd consider how it can be expanded [to add more functions] from various perspectives," Abe said.
Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera also revealed that studies are under way to determine if F-35B fighter jets can execute short takeoffs and vertical landings on the Izumo and whether unmanned aircraft can take off and land on the vessel.
The Izumo, which belongs to the largest destroyer class in the Martime Self-Defense Force, can carry up to 14 helicopters and has a broad deck like that of an aircraft carrier. The MSDF commissioned this fiscal year a shipbuilding company to study how the vessel's aircraft operational capabilities can be enhanced. "It would be too late if we try to add new equipment after a crisis breaks out. It's our responsibility to undertake various research and studies," Abe said.
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