Aviation News – On August 7, 2025, Japan’s Air Self‑Defense Force marked a significant milestone with the arrival of its first three F‑35B Lightning II STOVL stealth fighters at Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture. Flown in by U.S. pilots, one of the jets performed a vertical landing, demonstrating the platform’s advanced capabilities.
These initial deployments form part of Japan’s broader strategy to bolster its southwestern defenses amid intensifying regional tensions. The F‑35Bs are slated to operate from the Izumo‑ and Kaga‑class vessels, both retrofitted to accommodate these fighters. A fourth aircraft is expected to arrive soon, with an additional four scheduled by March 2026.
Originally intended to conduct vertical-landing training at the soon-to-be-completed Mageshima facility, delays have necessitated continued operations at Nyutabaru well into the next decade. However, the move lays the groundwork for eventual expansion, with plans to reach a fleet of 42 F‑35Bs and 105 F‑35As making Japan the largest F‑35 operator outside the U.S.
Photo JSDAF
