Lewin of Greenwich Naval History & Forum

Light Fleet Carrier IJNS Shōhō pictured c1942.Originally built as the Submarine Support Ship Tsurugizaki in the late 1930s, she was converted before the Pacific War into an Aircraft Carrier and renamed. Completed in early 1942, the she supported the invasion forces in Operation MO, the invasion of Port Moresby, New Guinea, and was sunk by American Carrier aircraft on her first combat operation during the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 7th. Shōhō was the first Japanese Aircraft Carrier to be sunk during World War II.
Shōhō and her sister Zuihō were designed to be easily modified as an Oil Tanker, Submarine Tender, or Aircraft Carrier as needed. Shōhō was laid down by the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal on December 3rd 1934 as the Submarine Tender IJNS Tsurugizaki.She was launched on June 1st 1935 and completed on January 15th 1939. Not long after the ship was initially completed, she began reconstruction as an Aircraft Carrier in 1941. Her superstructure was removed and replaced by a flight deck with a hangar for her aircraft below. Renamed Shōhō, the conversion was finished on 26 January 26th 1942.

Here is a pic of SHOHO fitting out during her conversion.
Actually I always preferred a Coral Sea shot! Of course, her sister the ZUIHO made it until the '44 Battle of Cape Engano where she, ZUIKAKU, CHITOSE and CHIYODA were all sunk. DFO

Lead Ship, Submarine Depot Ship Tsurugizaki pictured on sea trials off Yokosuka Naval Arsenal on November 20th 1938..In 1940 she was converted to Zuihō Class Light Fleet Carrier Shōhō.

Light Fleet Carrier Shōhō pictured at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal on December 20th 1941.

Submarine Tender Tsurugizaki pictured during her Carrier conversion refit at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal on September 2nd 1941...Shōhō was laid down at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal on December 3rd 1934 as the Submarine Tender Tsurugizaki. She was launched on June 1st 1935 and completed on January 15th 1939. Not long after the ship was initially completed, she began reconstruction as an Aircraft Carrier in 1941. Her superstructure was removed and replaced by a flight deck with a hangar for her aircraft below. Renamed Shōhō, the conversion was completed on January 26th 1942. She was sunk by air attack, May 7th 1942.

Submarine Depot Ship Tsurugizaki pictured on completion at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal on January 15th 1939. She began reconstruction as an Aircraft Carrier in 1941. Her superstructure was removed and replaced by a flight deck with a hangar for her aircraft below. Renamed Shōhō, the conversion was finished on January 26th 1942. Shōhō was sunk by air attack during the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 7th 1942.

Submarine Depot Ship Tsurugizaki pictured on completion anchored in Ariake Bay on April 24th 1939. She began reconstruction as an Aircraft Carrier in 1941. Her superstructure was removed and replaced by a flight deck with a hangar for her aircraft below. Renamed Shōhō, the conversion was finished at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal on January 26th 1942. Shōhō was sunk by air attack during the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 7th 1942.