[excerpt]
Japan to Build New Helicopter Carrier
(Source: Chosun Ilbo; published Sept. 15, 2011)
TOKYO --- Japan plans to build a 19,500-ton aircraft carrier capable of housing helicopters after China launched its first own aircraft carrier, Chinese media reported on Wednesday. Japan already has two helicopter carriers -- the Hyuga deployed in March 2009 and the Ise deployed in March 2011 -- but the planned new vessel will be bigger.
