LST 4001 Osumi
LST 4002 Shimokita
LST 4003 Kunisaki

With the obvious look of small carriers, the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) went to great ends to assure those nations who expressed concern that these ships were not offensive weapons (prohibited by the Japanese constitution) and that they were not "aircraft carriers".

In an effort to reach that end politically, the ships were designated as Landing Ship Tanks (LST) officially, though they are clearly of a more Amphibious assault nature, providing a well deck for air cushioned vehicles and landing craft, and air assault via helicopter from on board their large deck.

In addition, when one examines the design itself, there is clearly no room for hanger spaces below the rear flight deck, as the vessel is not deep enough to allow it over the top of the well deck which streteches forward to the island and houses two LCACs. Forward, there is a 100m deck below the main deck, but the single elevator accessing these spaces is too smal for anything but a small helicopter. A VSTOL aircraft or a larger helicopter will simply not fit on the elevator. These spaces below the forward main deck are used primarily for vehicle storage so those fighitng and/or armored vehicles can access the well deck. Perhaps one or two small helicopters could be stored and serviced there, but no more.

So, the Osumi class is clearly a dedicated amphibious assault vessel. In a pinch its helos could serve in either a mine-hunting/clearing role or in ASW duties, but it is clear the vessel was in fact designed for amphibious assault. A designation of LPD or even a small LPH would be more accurate given the role of these vessels.

In answer to the Japanese development and commissioning of these ships, the South Koreans have launched the first of a new class of clear, large, Amphibious assault ships, the Dokdo Class. The South Koreans are making no bones about this ship and its capabilities, and they are not constrained by their constitution to do so. They will be strong LPH class vessels with the potential and sixe for VSTOL aircraft, but no announced intentions to embark them.

Perhaps in answer to that development, the JMSDF has built and launched an even more carrier-like vessel. These two new vessels are not suited for the Amphibious role and appear to be more, true, sea control vessels. Although they will be designated as DDH, or helicopter carrying destroyers similar to the four traditional destroyers the JMSDF already has, with a larger deck and the hanger spaces to accomodate numerous aircraft, it is clear these new vessels of the HYuga class, will be more traditional small aircraft carriers.