IJN Taiho

The ''IJN Taiho' was the first Japanese carrier built with an armored deck and was based off the designs of the Shokaku class carriers. She was ordered in 1939 and laid down by Kawasaki on 10 7 1941 at the shipyards at Kobe.

Taiho in Days of Infamy
At a meeting with Commander Fuchida, Lt. Saburo Shindo learned of the launching of the IJN Taiho, and was impressed by the news that it would be a superior ship than the Shokaku and the Zuikaku. His joy was short lived as he was promptly informed that the Taiho wouldn’t be ready for active combat until sometime the following year.