Japanese Aircraft Carriers

The first Aircraft Carrier commissioned by Japan was the Hōshō, in 1922. She was built from the ground up as an Aircraft Carrier. The next 2 Japanese Fleet Carriers, Akagi and Kaga, were converted in the 1920s from a Battlecruiser and Battleship respectively. The Sōryū and Shōkaku Classes were built from the ground up as Fleet Carriers in the 1930s. Taihō and the Unryū Class were built from the ground up in the early 1940s to support the war effort. All Japanese Fleet Carriers served extensively in World War 2, with the majority being sunk.

Due to limits imposed by the Washington Naval Treaty, Japan was forced to think of a loophole in order to build more Aircraft Carriers, as a result, Ryūjō was finished in 1931 with very light displacement. The Zuihō Class was originally built as a Seaplane Tender Class, with the capabilities of being converted to a Light Carrier if needed. Due to the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, they were converted accordingly. The Hiyō Class, was converted from passenger liners into Light Carriers. The Ryūhō and Chitose Class were also Seaplane Tender conversions, although they were converted later than the Zuihō Class. All Light Carriers saw extensive combat with the majority not surviving the Second World War.

The Taiyō Class, Shin’yō, and Kaiyō were converted from passenger liners. while the Shimane Maru Class was converted from oil tankers. The Escort Carriers served backline roles during World War 2, and all were either severely damaged or sunk during the war.