Japan Press Weekly

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2023 November 22 - 28 [POLITICS]

Japan plans to deploy F35s in Japan – the same aircraft as used in Gaza airstrikes

The Japanese government is planning to deploy F35 fighter jets in Japan, the same type of which are being used for Gaza airstrikes now.

According to the U.S. aviation blog “Aviationist”, the Israeli forces are using U.S.-made F35 stealth fighter jets for airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. Eight countries, including the U.K., are participating in F35 development. Japan and Israel are planning to deploy the cutting-edge F35s.

The IHI Mizuho Plant located next to the U.S. Yokota Air Base (Tokyo) is designated as an F35 engine maintenance center. The maintenance operations at the plant began in June this year. The engines removed from F35 bodies are placed under U.S. supervision.

Takahashi Mieko, a representative of the local civic group working for the removal of the Yokota AB, said, “We don’t know where the engines checked and maintained in Japan will be used. They may be used for wars and airstrikes like the ones on Gaza. It all depends on the U.S.” She criticized Japan for doing everything the U.S. says to do.

Past related articles:
> LDP/Komei in closed-door talks agree to allow Japan’s export of next-gen fighters being developed in trinational project [September 7, 2023]
> Next-generation fighter under joint development projected to be used in conflicts [ June 2, 2023]