Key Points and Summary – Japan is going all-in on the F-35, expanding its order to 147 jets and becoming the largest Lightning II operator after the United States.
-Tokyo will field 105 F-35As and 42 F-35Bs, with the STOVL variants flying from upgraded Izumo-class “Lightning carriers” and dispersed island bases.
An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, taxis into position in front of two U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron for forward area refueling point operations during a FARP demonstration at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 14, 2024. FARP allows operators to transfer fuel from one aircraft to another; this process enables fighter aircraft to land, refuel or re-arm before returning to air-battle operations rapidly in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)
-The goal is clear: counter China’s growing military power, protect Japan’s vulnerable southwest islands, and plug into a US-led stealth air network across the Indo-Pacific.
-With unmatched sensor fusion, MADL data-sharing, and serious strike and ISR reach, Japan’s F-35 force will be a decisive factor in any future crisis with China.
Japan Is “All-In” On The F-35, Purchasing 147 Lightning IIs
The debate over the F-35 will never end, and proponents as well as critics of the ubiquitous aircraft will probably never change their minds over the aircraft’s worth. One fact beyond reproach, however, is that the aircraft’s popularity continues to grow.
Japan is buying the F-35 Lightning II in bulk, planning to acquire 147 aircraft. This significantly increases its fleet from an initial plan of 42, making it the second-largest operator of the F-35 after the United States.
The large order was approved by the U.S. in 2020 and includes both the conventional takeoff and landing (F-35A) and the short-takeoff/vertical-landing (F-35B) variants.
The order includes 105 F-35A models and 42 F-35B models. Japan’s decision is a response to China’s military buildup and a way to replace its aging F-15 fleet.
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team performs at the Westmoreland County Airshow in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, August 18, 2024. The F-35A is an agile, versatile, high-performance, 9g capable multirole fighter that combines stealth, sensor fusion and unprecedented situational awareness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Zachary Rufus)
Japan’s Smaller Carriers Will Operate F-35Bs:
The 42 F-35B variants are designed for short take-off and vertical landing, enabling them to operate from Japan’s new helicopter carriers. Japan received the first three F-35Bs in August. The Japanese F-35Bs will operate from the Nyutabaru Air Base on the main island of Kyushu, Japan, according to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
The F-35B variants will also operate from two Izumo-class destroyer carriers, JS Izumo (DDH-183) and JS Kaga (DDH-184).
The JS Kaga, the newly configured amphibious carrier, is designed to transport F-35s, troops, helicopters, and other power-projecting and attack-enabling assets.
The Kaga has a maximum displacement of 27,000 tons at full load and an 814-ft flight deck, a ship vastly smaller than US Navy carriers, which displace more than 100,000 tons.
The Kaga and the Izumo have been modified to operate F-35B fighter jets, which have short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities.
These vessels are now capable of deploying and supporting F-35Bs, bolstering Japan’s defense capabilities, particularly amid rising regional tensions with China.
They operate more like US amphibious assault ships than traditional fleet carriers. It is also a milestone for Japan, as it establishes smaller aircraft carriers equipped with the F-35B Lightning II, or “Lightning carriers,” as the new capital ships of Asia.
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II takes off for a mission during U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration (WSINT) at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, June 3, 2025. WSINT serves as the culminating exercise for U.S. Air Force Weapons School students, bringing together air, space, and cyber forces in realistic, mission-critical training scenarios that mirror the complexities of modern warfare. Conducted twice a year, the integration event tests multi-domain operations and strengthens joint force interoperability, enhancing combat readiness across the spectrum of military operations over the Nevada Test and Training Range. (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis)
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These smaller light carriers can hit speeds over 35 knots and are very maneuverable, making them much harder to hit.
Up to this point, the Kaga and Izumo have only conducted air operations with US-operated F-35Bs. But that will soon change.
Japan Is Preparing For Chinese Threat
Japan is increasing its F-35 fleet, including the stealthy F-35B, to counter the growing Chinese military threat, particularly concerning its southwestern islands and broader regional assertiveness
Only a limited number of airfields on Japan’s southwestern islands can support conventional fighter operations. Because of their close proximity to Taiwan, these outlying islands would be vulnerable to Chinese missile strikes if used to support U.S. military operations in a Taiwan conflict.
Tokyo’s aircraft carriers will enable Japan to have greater flexibility in its fighter jet operations in the contested East China Sea, where it has territorial disputes with China.
The mere presence of this many F-35s will force China to think twice before attacking any US or Taiwanese targets in the region. It will not, therefore, be considered an offensive weapon (although it can attack China’s air defenses), but rather a deterrent.
F-35’s Sensor Fusion is Unmatched
The F-35’s ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) capabilities are outstanding at gathering and processing information. While it is a fighter jet, the F-35 excels at ISR due to its advanced sensors and stealth technology, which allow it to operate in contested environments and share data with other forces.
A key aspect is the F-35’s ability to collect, process, and securely share data in real time, making it a powerful tool for situational awareness.
The F-35 Lightning II’s data-sharing, operating as a mobile sensor platform, can assess the effectiveness of an entire fleet — a whole military front — by sharing data and coordinating information, thereby increasing the situational awareness of every warfighter present exponentially.
The F-35’s networking capabilities via Multi-Function Advanced Data Link (MADL) enable seamless coordination with allied forces, creating a multi-nation airpower network in the Pacific.
Advanced sensor fusion automatically analyzes data from sensors embedded throughout the aircraft and merges it into relevant information for pilots. The F-35 can fuse data from its own sensors with information from other sources to create a complete picture of the battlefield, which can then be securely shared with other allied aircraft and ground forces.
The F-35’s advanced AN/APG-81 AESA radar is the most capable in the world. Long-range active and passive air-to-air and air-to-ground modes support a full range of missions.
In the event of a conflict with China over Taiwan, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, working seamlessly in conjunction with US naval and air forces, would act as combat multipliers in the East China Sea.
Using the well-known F-35 Multifunction Advanced Data Link, Japanese and US air and surface F-35s could coordinate missions, share data in real time, and enable unprecedented attack interoperability against Chinese targets both at sea and over Chinese airspace.
The Japanese air fleet of 147 F-35s will be a significant strategic factor in the Indo-Pacific.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
