Japan launches its largest military ship

Japan launches its largest military ship

YOKOHAMA, Japan - A launching ceremony for Japan's largest military ship is held in Yokohama on Aug. 6, 2013. The 248-meter-long, 38-meter-wide, 19,500-ton helicopter-equipped destroyer Izumo will be deployed in March 2015 with the Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Japan's largest helicopter destroyer Izumo goes into service

Japan's largest helicopter destroyer Izumo goes into service

Photo taken March 25, 2015, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's largest ever helicopter-carrying destroyer, the Izumo, at the port of Yokohama. The 19,500-ton destroyer, measuring 248 meters in length and 38 meters in width, allows five helicopters to take off and land simultaneously. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan's largest helicopter destroyer Izumo goes into service

Japan's largest helicopter destroyer Izumo goes into service

Photo taken March 25, 2015, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's largest ever helicopter-carrying destroyer, the Izumo, at the port of Yokohama. The 19,500-ton destroyer, measuring 248 meters in length and 38 meters in width, allows five helicopters to take off and land simultaneously. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan's largest helicopter destroyer Izumo goes into service

Japan's largest helicopter destroyer Izumo goes into service

Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force members attend a ceremony to commission its largest ever helicopter-carrying destroyer, the Izumo, at the port of Yokohama on March 25, 2015. The 19,500-ton destroyer, measuring 248 meters in length and 38 meters in width, allows five helicopters to take off and land simultaneously. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan's largest helicopter destroyer Izumo goes into service

Japan's largest helicopter destroyer Izumo goes into service

Photo taken March 25, 2015, shows the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's largest ever helicopter-carrying destroyer, the Izumo, at the port of Yokohama. The 19,500-ton destroyer, measuring 248 meters in length and 38 meters in width, allows five helicopters to take off and land simultaneously. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan's largest helicopter destroyer Izumo goes into service

Japan's largest helicopter destroyer Izumo goes into service

Photo taken March 25, 2015, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's largest ever helicopter-carrying destroyer, the Izumo, at the port of Yokohama. The 19,500-ton destroyer, measuring 248 meters in length and 38 meters in width, allows five helicopters to take off and land simultaneously. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

U.S. defense chief Carter to inspect vessel in Japan

U.S. defense chief Carter to inspect vessel in Japan

U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter makes a speech in Simi Valley, California, on Dec. 3, 2016. Carter is scheduled to inspect the 19,500-ton helicopter-carrier Izumo at a U.S. Navy base in Yokosuka, Japan, on Dec. 6, according to a senior Department of Defense official. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Inada tours MSDF base in Yokosuka

Inada tours MSDF base in Yokosuka

Japan's Defense Minister Tomomi Inada inspects the 19,500-ton helicopter-carrier Izumo, the largest warship of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, at the MSDF base in Yokosuka, southwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 23, 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Inada tours MSDF base in Yokosuka

Inada tours MSDF base in Yokosuka

Japan's Defense Minister Tomomi Inada inspects the 19,500-ton helicopter-carrier Izumo, the largest warship of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, at the MSDF base in Yokosuka, southwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 23, 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo