Japan Bolsters Defense with Arrival of F-35B Stealth Fighters

On August 7th, the Air Self-Defense Force's F-35B stealth fighter jet completed a vertical landing at the Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture. This event marked a significant step in Japan's ongoing efforts to bolster its defense capabilities.

Japan recently welcomed its first three F-35B stealth fighter jets at an air base in the southern part of the country. These aircraft are part of a larger plan to enhance the nation's defenses, particularly in light of increasing regional tensions. The Air Self-Defense Force confirmed that the fourth F-35B scheduled for deployment at Nyutabaru Air Base will arrive at a later time.

The F-35Bs, known for their short take-off and vertical landing capabilities, are designed to operate from the modified Japanese helicopter carriers, the Izumo and the Kaga. The Defense Ministry has further indicated that an additional four F-35Bs are expected to be delivered to Nyutabaru by the end of March 2026.

Japan views China as a regional security concern and has been actively increasing its military presence on remote islands in the southwest. In a separate incident on the same day, an F-2A single-seater fighter jet crashed during a training flight off Japan's eastern coast. The pilot successfully ejected and was rescued. Training flights for the F-2A aircraft have been temporarily halted for safety inspections.

Furthermore, Japan is currently building a new air base on the island of Mageshima, intended for F-35B flight exercises. However, due to construction delays, these exercises will continue to be conducted at Nyutabaru until approximately 2030, leading to local protests over aircraft noise. Japan's overall plan involves deploying a total of 42 F-35Bs and 105 conventional take-off and landing F-35As, making it the largest F-35 operator outside of the United States.