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The Illustrious class would provide the Japanese with armoured decks, radar, catapults, proper damage control and effective FC and AA. To use the Illustrious class we need to modify Japanese aircraft to get down the lift and of course deck parking is required, though even so, no more than about 55 aircraft are possible.

http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Ships/ILLUSTRIOUS.html

As you can see from this pic of HMS Formidable below, they can get sizable air group onboard.

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