The primary three F-35B Lightning IIs have lastly been delivered to the Japan Air Self Protection Pressure.
The Japan Air Self Protection Pressure Article (JASDF) introduced the arrival of its first three F-35B Lightning II STOVL (Brief Take Off Vertical Touchdown) jets at Nyutabaru Air Base on Aug. 7, 2025. The Japanese Ministry of Protection introduced few days in the past the upcoming arrival of the jets, earlier than they had been noticed touchdown at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH), Hawaii, on Aug. 1.
Initially, in response to the MoD, 4 plane had been anticipated to reach. Nevertheless, one of many F-35s needed to keep again within the U.S. and will probably be ferried at a later date. The MoD additional mentioned that 4 extra F-35Bs will probably be delivered to Nyutabaru by the top of March 2026.
続いて59-8204。短距離着陸！ pic.twitter.com/NA12N16egy
— いたっきい@板倉秀典 (@itackey2) August 7, 2025
3機目、59−8201。通常着陸！たぶん今日はこれで終わり。 pic.twitter.com/pwWPyeVMd3
— いたっきい@板倉秀典 (@itackey2) August 7, 2025
Japan beforehand introduced in January 2025 that the arrival of the primary F-35Bs, which was deliberate to occur someday throughout FY (Fiscal 12 months) 2024 (which ends on Mar. 31, 2025), has been postponed to someday throughout FY2025. A complete of eight plane is deliberate for supply throughout FY2025, which ends in March 2026.
U.S. pilots will conduct demonstration flights at Nyutabaru in September 2025 in an try and mitigate considerations of native residents over noise brought on by vertical landings. An airbase is being constructed particularly for the F-35B’s vertical landings on the uninhabited island of Mageshima, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Nyutabaru, however it’s anticipated to be prepared by 2030.
Noise from vertical landings has been a significant concern for native residents, with the MoD conducting a evaluation and fascinating with locals to tell the general public. Solely after the outcomes of the evaluation will probably be offered to the general public the JASDF will begin F-35B coaching on the location.
“By way of the flight demonstration, we’ll give native residents the chance to expertise the noise traits of the F-35B first hand, after which the MOD will clarify the outcomes of its evaluation to the area people,” mentioned the MoD.
Though assigned to the JASDF, the F-35Bs will function on the Japan Maritime Self Protection Pressure’s (JMSDF) JS Izumo and JS Kaga. The 2 plane carriers, that are regionally designated as DDHs (Helicopter-carrying Destroyers), are at present present process conversion to permit F-35B operations.
The JASDF additionally operates about 40 F-35A CTOL (Typical Take Off and Touchdown) jets, with a complete deliberate fleet of 105 plane. Including the 42 F-35Bs, Japan will function a complete of 147 fifth technology jets, making the nation the most important F-35 operator outdoors america.
Japan’s F-35B acquisition
Whereas initially it solely acquired F-35As, Japan determined in 2018 to obtain 42 F-35Bs to be able to strengthen its capabilities and function from its two plane carriers, small airstrips and distant islands. These 42 plane are a part of the bigger whole of 147 F-35s that Japan plans to function.
The plan was formally accredited in Japan’s 2019–2023 Mid-Time period Protection Program, which talked about that 18 of the then-planned 47 F-35s would have been STOVL (Brief Take-Off Vertical Touchdown) variants. This system of report for the F-35B was later elevated to 42 plane.
The procurement was accredited by america in 2020, and included each 63 F-35As and the 42 F-35Bs, for a complete of 105 plane. In keeping with the Protection Safety Cooperation Company’s notification to Congress, the sale was reported price about $23.11 billion.
With 147 plane in service, Japan would turn into the second-largest operator of the F-35 after america. Japan additionally hosts in Nagoya one in all three last meeting and check-out (FACO) amenities for the F-35 Lightning II program.
Nevertheless, Japan’s F-35Bs will probably be produced within the U.S. at Lockheed Martin’s manufacturing facility in Fort Price, Texas. The FACO facility continues to carry out the ultimate meeting and check-out of F-35A plane to be delivered to the JASDF, in addition to Upkeep, Restore, Overhaul and Improve (MRO&U) actions for the North Asia area.
The F-35B in Japanese service
Plans are in place to function the STOVL fighter jets from the JMSDF’s two Izumo-class DDHs (Helicopter-carrying Destroyers), the JS Izumo and JS Kaga, that are at present present process conversion to permit F-35B operations. To higher put together for the arrival of the brand new plane, Japan is finding out F-35s operations from different navies who already function the sort, such because the Italian Navy and Royal Navy.
The F-35B has undergone assessments with Japanese vessels twice, with the Izumo conducting flight ops in 2021, whereas the Kaga only in the near past had a F-35B land on its deck. Each of those assessments had been performed with non-Japanese jets and pilots. The Izumo is about to begin F-35B operations in 2027, whereas the Kaga will induct it into service a 12 months later in 2028.
Curiously, though the plane are deliberate to function from these JMSDF vessels, the F-35B itself will probably be operated by the JASDF. The service plans to function as much as 105 F-35A CTOL (Typical Take Off and Touchdown) and 42 F-35B V/STOVL fighter jets alongside their earlier stock of F-15J/DJs and F-2A/Bs.
Japan plans to station the primary batch of F-35Bs at Nyutabaru Air Base, which is situated within the southern a part of the island of Kyushu, because of the its shut proximity to the house port of the JS Kaga in JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self Protection Pressure) Kure, in Hiroshima prefecture. A brief squadron has been established in preparation for the induction of the F-35B at Nyutabaru.
