Japan’s military is making moves that will put it in the big leagues of naval aviation. Later this year, the Izumo-class carrier Kaga will head to the waters off California for F-35B Lightning II tests, a crucial step in Japan’s plan to fully integrate these advanced fighters into its fleet. The trials, set for October through November, mark a milestone for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) as it increases spending and transforms two former helicopter destroyers -Kaga and its sister ship Izumo-into F-35B-capable carriers.