DDH-183 (Building)
DDH-184 (Building)

In 2009, Japan announced plans to build two larger carriers. These have been dubbed the 22DDH project and will displace in excess of 27,000 tons full load and be 815 feet long. They will hold quite a few more aircraft, and notably, their flight deck will be completely clear, with all weapons located on sponsons off deck or on the island. This strongly emplys that these vessels will embark VSTOL aircraft most probably the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter being built by the United States and exported to allied countries.

Some of the changes incorporated into these vessles also make it clear that they will be able to support eh V-22 Osprey VSTOL aircraft to be used for SAR, Recon and for troop transport.

The vessels are equipped with Phased Array Radars, full battle management capabilities, and link capabilities for cooperative engagements. One of the elevators is located on the They are also built to embark 500 troops and up to fifty vehicles if necessary for air assault as well, though there is no well deck and any vehicles will either be transported by air, or use RORO facilities at a harbor.

The construction of the first ship began in 2011 at an IHI Marine United shipyard in Yokohama. Funding totaling 113.9 billion yen ($1.5 billion) was set aside as a part of the fiscal 2010 budget for this vessel. Launch of the first of class is scheduled for 2014-2015. The second ship will follow one year behind the first.

These vessels will represent a significant enhancement of Japanese Sea Control capabilities. With on Hyuga class providing ASW and SAR, and with one or two AEGIS destroyers providing anti-air, ASW, and ASuW escort, with these new larger carriers capable of carryong a wing of strike fighters, the Japanese will be able to embark a very powerful carrier strike group. Many feel that these capabilities are in response to the significant growth of the Chinese PLAN and the launch of their first carrier, the ex-Varyag, which began trials in August of 2011