 Vickers files show that the Japanese had access to the designs for double- and triple-gun turrets, yet opted for six double turrets over four triple turrets.The final design—designated A-64 by the IJN—called for a displacement of with twelve guns in six double turrets (two forward, two aft, two separated amidships) with a top speed of .This design was superior to its American counterparts in armament, armor and speed, thus following the doctrine the Japanese had used since the First Sino-Japanese War of 1894–95 of compensating for quantitative inferiority with qualitative superiority.