The Kaga, one of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's two Izumo-class carriers, completed a rare mission last fall — carrying judo uniforms from Japan to children in the Pacific island nation of Palau.
Placing the brand new judogi — a total of 75 in all, packed in several cardboard boxes — on the 250-meter helicopter carrier, was one way to avoid the high shipping costs required to send the uniforms, with the Defense Ministry carrying out the operation via the Japanese Embassy in Palau.
Months on, the children's judo instructors say they have had a positive impact on the children's approach to the sport.