Breaking News: Japan to Begin Deployment of First U.S.-Made F-35B Fighter Jets to Counter China Near Taiwan.

According to information published by the Japanese Ministry of Defense on July 29, 2025, Japan will begin deploying its first American-made F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters to the southern region of the country starting August 7, 2025. Four F-35B Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft will be stationed at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki prefecture, on Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island. This move marks the operational debut of the F-35B in Japanese service. It represents a strategic effort to strengthen the country’s defense posture along the Nansei Islands chain, a key area of focus amid growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
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One of the first F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force is prepared for deployment as part of Japan’s new defense posture in the southern region near the Nansei Islands. (Picture source Eric Kilpatrick X account)

Japan’s deployment of F-35B STOVL (Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing) American-made stealth fighter jets is part of a broader modernization initiative formally adopted in December 2018 through the National Defense Program Guidelines and the Mid-Term Defense Program. That year, the Japanese government approved the acquisition of 42 F-35B fighters, alongside an expanded order of the F-35A variant, bringing Japan’s total planned fleet to 147 fifth-generation stealth aircraft. This procurement makes Japan the largest international operator of the F-35 and reflects a major investment in advanced airpower capabilities. The U.S. Department of State approved the initial F-35B sale in July 2020 through the Foreign Military Sales program, including associated support, spares, and training. Deliveries have been taking place in progressive batches, with the first aircraft now ready for frontline deployment.

Japan’s rationale for acquiring the F-35B centers on the need to project airpower from both land and sea in regions where full-length runways or advanced infrastructure may not be available. The F-35B, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is the only fifth-generation fighter jet with STOVL capability, allowing it to operate from short runways or naval platforms without requiring catapults or arrestor systems. Compared to the F-35A, which is designed for conventional takeoff and landing, and the F-35C, which is engineered for U.S. Navy carrier operations with reinforced landing gear and larger wings, the F-35B is tailored for expeditionary missions and offers unmatched operational flexibility.

A central component of this strategic decision is Japan’s plan to operate the F-35B from its two Izumo-class helicopter destroyers, JS Izumo and JS Kaga, which are currently undergoing conversion into light aircraft carriers. These modifications will restore a sea-based fixed-wing aviation capability to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force for the first time since World War II. The STOVL features of the F-35B make it ideal for these ships, enabling Japan to launch and recover advanced fighter aircraft without the need for traditional carrier launch systems. This enhances Japan’s ability to project force across the Indo-Pacific maritime theater and improves the survivability of its air assets during regional crises.

Strategically located, the Nyutabaru-based F-35Bs are positioned to enhance Japan’s response capability in the southwest region significantly. The Nansei Islands, also known as the Ryukyu Islands, extend from Kyushu to within 70 miles of Taiwan. They form a critical segment of the so-called first island chain, a geographic buffer used by the United States and its allies to contain Chinese maritime expansion. This region has seen increased pressure from China’s military, particularly around the disputed Senkaku Islands. By deploying F-35Bs to Nyutabaru and planning rotational operations throughout the island chain, Japan enhances both its deterrence posture and its ability to respond swiftly to potential regional contingencies.

The threat from China in the Nansei Islands region is growing as Beijing expands its naval and air operations into the Western Pacific and intensifies pressure on Taiwan. Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and aircraft frequently transit through the Miyako Strait, which lies between Okinawa and Miyako Island, one of the main sea lanes near the Nansei chain. These activities are often viewed as rehearsals for blockades or rapid force projection into Taiwan’s vicinity. Moreover, China has ramped up airspace intrusions and unmanned aerial reconnaissance near Japan’s southwestern islands, testing Japanese air defenses and signaling its capability to threaten Japanese territory in a crisis. The proximity of the Senkaku Islands, which are administered by Japan but claimed by China, adds further volatility to the region.

The introduction of the U.S. F-35B into operational service in Japan marks a major evolution in Japan’s defense doctrine. The aircraft brings a suite of advanced capabilities, including low observability, sensor fusion, electronic warfare, and seamless integration with allied command and control networks. These features enable the JASDF to maintain air superiority in contested environments while conducting distributed and resilient operations from forward-deployed or degraded airfields. The platform’s versatility also fits within Japan’s emphasis on mobility and survivability in light of emerging threats from advanced missile systems and anti-access strategies.

This deployment of the American-made F-35B STOVL stealth fighter jets is more than a tactical improvement; it is a signal of Japan’s commitment to strengthening its security posture in one of the world’s most strategically volatile regions. It reflects a shift toward a more agile, distributed, and multi-domain defense strategy, enhancing Japan’s capacity to defend remote territories, support regional stability, and operate seamlessly with key allies including the United States. As Tokyo continues to modernize its defense forces, the integration of the F-35B represents both a technological milestone and a clear message of readiness in the face of rising Indo-Pacific tensions.