They did. The Graf Zeppelin.Was listening to something about the rise of Japan up to WW2 and the thoughts behind air power at sea. The Japanese were well enthused by the British action at Taranto.
6 Italian ships lost or well damaged and 660 casualties to the loss of 2 planes and 4 men .
Made economic sense to the Japs to build aircraft carriers.
Funny thing , Germans didn't have a single aircraft carrier in Ww2.
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