Japan Chooses F-35

from Kyodo News Agency, 23 November

Ministry of Defense has started arrangement to introduce F-35 as its long-awaited FX, or next mainstay fighter aircraft. Starting full-fledged study from December, the Ministry will include relevant expenses such as contracting in its budget request for fiscal 2011, according to multiple sources of the ministry and Japan Self Defense Forces.

With China's procurement of the fourth generation fighters, the ministry has decided to increase Japan's air defense by introducing the stealth F-35, assuming to deploy about 40 aircraft.

Tokyo is trying to compile a new basic defense posture policy for force structure and its operations but it postponed to finalize previously in last December. It is expected to clarify to procure F-35 in its new policy.

Hatoyama administration will request FX research budget only in fiscal 2010 budget plans in accordance with the postponed defense policy definition.

However, within the government, there are some cautious opinion to F-35 as the aircraft is still in its development stage and its performance is yet to be confirmed, calling for postponing of the contracting to fiscal 2012.