Japanese always had a facination with hybrid ships. They built the Shirane class and the Haruna class to carrier helos for their ASW force. The model was designed to keep Japan's sealane open in times of war. They would deal with *ahem* Soviet subs while the USN carry out the offensive end in times of war.
The Shirane class and the Haruna class were real destroyers with a rather large helo complement. They just expanded on the concept by increasing the number of helos to 11, and deleting the 2 gun mounts and the ASROC. The designation remains the same.
Brilliant concept to get an aircraft carrier in the water while not calling it an aircraft carrier. It's not even a cruiser like the Lusty. But a lowly destroyer, an escort, meant for defense...
