All national dailies on Saturday wrote that the Ministry of Defense released on Friday a report concluding that if the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Izumo-class destroyers are remodeled, they would be able to handle takeoffs and landings by fighter jets. The report positively evaluated the Izumo-class destroyers for their “high potential to improve aircraft operational capabilities.” The Izumo and Kaga destroyers, both currently in service, are under consideration to be remodeled into aircraft carriers. The report, which was submitted on March 22, was based on an investigation conducted by Japan Marine United Corp., the company that manufactured the Izumo-class vessels. The company examined whether the most advanced stealth F-35B fighter jet, which is capable of making short take-offs and vertical landings, can be operated from the Izumo-class vessels.