Of the Taiyo-class with sister ships Unyo (ex-Yawata Maru) and Chuyo (ex-Nitta Maru). Laid down for the Nippon Yusen Kaisha Line at the Mitsubishi Nagasaki Shipyard 6 January 1940, launched 19 September 1940, commissioned 2 September 1941 and sunk by the American submarine Rasher 18 August 1944 with just around the 100 survivors. Displacement 17.830 tons standard and 19.500 tons full loaded with the dimensions 591’x 73 x 26’ or 168,1/173,7 (waterline-180,4 (overall) x 22,5 x 6,3 (standard)-7,8m (loaded). Her flight deck was in 1944 lengthened from 162 tot 172-172,2m x 26m broad (other sources mentioned a length of 150m). Fitted out with 2 steam turbines and 4 boilers delivering 25.200 shp allowing a speed of 21 knots. Her range with a speed of 18 knots was 6,500 nautical miles. Her engine rooms and magazines were protected by a 25mm thick side belt. She carried 27 airplanes. Fitted out with two lifts. Her crew numbered 747men. Her armament changed regularly and some times the sources differs. Original 4-120mm guns, 2 twin 25mm and 4 twin 13,2mm guns. Since 30 July 1942 4-120mm guns, 2 twin 25mm guns and 4 twin 13.2mm guns. Sincerely 1943 4-120mm guns and 6 triple and 4 twin 25mm guns? Since 18 April 1944 4-120mm guns, 8 triple 25mm, 2 twin 25mm guns and 28-25mm guns and 8 depth charges.
