Trump eyes MSDF helicopter carrier visit during Japan trip: sources

U.S. President Donald Trump is considering making an inspection of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's largest vessel during his visit to Japan early next month, Japanese government sources said Thursday.Trump would be the first U.S. president to visit the helicopter carrier Izumo, which was commissioned in March 2015.(MSDF)Both Tokyo and Washington appear keen to use Trump's visit to display the strength of the Japan-U.S. defense alliance in the face of the threat from North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile development programs.In May, the Izumo engaged in the first-ever mission in whic…READ FULL ARTICLE