The Nagato-class battleship was a class of battleships built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the early 20th century. The class included two ships, the Nagato and the Mutsu, which were commissioned in 1917 and 1921, respectively. These battleships were notable for their advanced design, featuring a powerful main armament of 16-inch guns and improved armor protection. The Nagato-class played a significant role during World War II, participating in key naval battles such as the Battle of Midway. Despite their initial strength, the ships became less effective against newer naval technologies, leading to their eventual obsolescence. The Nagato was ultimately scuttled in 1946, while the Mutsu sank in 1943 due to an explosion.