Staff writer
OSHIMA ISLAND -- In preparation for a joint disaster drill with local civilians in November, the Maritime Self-Defense Force launched a newly commissioned, U.S.-built amphibious Hovercraft Tuesday for two day of landing drills on this island 120 km south of the heart of Tokyo.
The landing craft air cushion vessel is one of two LCACs aboard the 8,900-ton Osumi, Japan's largest landing ship, which was commissioned in March at the MSDF base in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture. The Osumi replaced the Atsumi, which was retired in March.