Japan Deploys First F-35B Fighter Jets to Nyutabaru Air Base

Japan formally placed its first U.S.-made F-35B Lightning II short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) fighter jets into operational service on February 7, 2026. A deployment commemoration ceremony was held at Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture, marking a significant advancement in the nation's defense capabilities.

Strategic Enhancement of Airpower

The introduction of the F-35B variant reflects Tokyo's increasing focus on distributed and survivable air operations, particularly amidst a tightening regional security environment. This deployment is a crucial step in strengthening Japan's airpower posture and providing flexible defense options for its southwestern islands. The F-35B's unique STOVL capabilities allow it to operate from shorter or less developed airfields, offering increased flexibility in aircraft deployment compared to conventional fighter aircraft.

Nyutabaru Air Base: A Key Operational Hub

Nyutabaru Air Base, located in southern Japan, has been designated as a primary land-based operating and training location for the F-35B. Its selection is attributed to its mature fighter infrastructure and access to suitable training airspace. The base will serve as a central hub for:

• F-35B pilot training
• Maintenance qualification
• Operational readiness
• Supporting preparations for future shipborne operations

Exercises conducted from Nyutabaru are expected to increasingly emphasize dispersed operations, rapid redeployment, and joint maritime-air missions.

Future Fleet and Carrier Integration

Japan's F-35 acquisition program involves a total of 147 F-35 aircraft, comprising 105 F-35A models and 42 F-35B models. Initially, three F-35Bs were deployed to Nyutabaru, with a fourth jet expected to join soon. The plan is to deploy a total of eight aircraft during the current fiscal year 2025, with the full complement of 42 F-35Bs to follow.

A central driver behind the F-35B acquisition was the requirement to field a fifth-generation fighter capable of operating from sea-based platforms. These jets are intended to operate from Japan's two Izumo-class helicopter carriers, the JS Izumo and JS Kaga, which are currently undergoing conversion to accommodate the F-35B. While the first F-35B aircraft were delivered in 2024 for training and evaluation, full operational capability for carrier-based operations is projected for 2029 or 2030.

Regional Security Implications

The integration of the F-35B into Japan's force structure carries significant strategic implications. It provides Japan with the capability to sustain air operations even if major bases are neutralized, extend air cover over maritime approaches, and rapidly reinforce remote islands. This move is widely seen as an effort to bolster defenses in the south and beef up Japan's presence near disputed islands, particularly in light of increased military activity by China in the East China Sea and Pacific Ocean. The F-35B offers a survivable, adaptable fifth-generation air combat capability in a regional environment characterized by long distances, missile proliferation, and contested airspace.