The pictured Akatsuki was a captured Russian destroyer renamed after the original Japanese ship had been sunk by a Russian mine. Japan returned the prize to operations quickly and had little opportunity to adapt it during the war. Its use therefore reveals little about the development of Japanese destroyer design or doctrine. Captured French-built sailing ships in Royal Navy service provide the comparison: alterations made after capture offer evidence of the receiving navy's priorities, while the original foreign design reflects its original builder.
Notable Point · 6:13-7:21
What the captured Akatsuki reveals about Japanese doctrine
Japan quickly returned a Russian prize to service as Akatsuki, leaving little opportunity for adaptations that could reveal Japanese design preferences.