TOKYO, August 7(AP) – Japan bolstered its defense capabilities with the arrival of its first three F-35B stealth fighter jets at Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture on Thursday, a strategic move amid rising regional tensions, particularly with China. The advanced jets, designed for short take-off and vertical landing, are part of Japan’s broader effort to strengthen its military presence in the southwest, including on remote islands. A fourth F-35B is expected to join the fleet at Nyutabaru later, with four additional jets slated for delivery by March 2026, according to the Air Self-Defense Force.
The F-35Bs will operate from Japan’s modified helicopter carriers, Izumo and Kaga, enhancing the nation’s ability to project power and respond to regional threats. Japan is also constructing a new air base on Mageshima Island, 160 kilometers south of Nyutabaru, to support F-35B flight exercises. However, delays in the project mean training will remain at Nyutabaru until around 2030, prompting protests from local residents over concerns about aircraft noise.
Japan’s acquisition of 42 F-35Bs and 105 conventional take-off and landing F-35As positions it as the largest F-35 operator outside the United States. The deployment reflects Japan’s accelerated military buildup, driven by concerns over China’s growing influence and regional security dynamics.
