777 Likely As The Next Govt Planes

Government Likely to Pick Boeing 777 as the Next Official Aircraft, Weighing Japan-US Alliance More

Monday April 21,2014 from Sankei Shimbun

Sankei Shimbun reported that the government of Japan is the final stage of procedures to introduce Boeing 777 as the replacement of Boeing 747 fleet for the next government official aircraft. The new aircraft will be delivered in fiscal 2019. Tokyo intends to show its commitment for stronger alliance with Washington by rejecting other choices including larger aircraft by Airbus.

Since last year, relevant government branches including the Cabinet Secretariat, Defense Ministry and Air Self Defence Force were studying the selection and reached to a final selection based on flight range, fuel efficiency, safety and overall flight records. The report says it will be coming summer when the Tokyo government will announce the introduction formally.

Boeing’s other aircraft, 787, was not selected as the aircraft cannot provide with needed space for PM’s working office and the attendants. Airbus A350 will be able to fly nonstop to the eastern coast of US but 777 was selected as made in US product as a symbol of Japan-US alliance.

The report does not tell how many aircraft will be introduced but the government has appropriated a budget of JPY 135.5 billion (about USD 1.3 billion) as expenses for introduction of the next government aircraft for fiscal 2014 budget.■

Japan Watches Rise of Russian Air Operations Around its Homeland

Joint Staff Office of the Ministry of Defense has issued a series of press releases dealing with flights of Russian aircraft near Japanese airspace in this month, showing more active operations of Russian ISR.

April 16: Russian Il-20 electronic reconnaissance aircraft flying on the Sea of Japan. (Joint Staff Office of the Ministry of Defense picture)

April 16---A couple of Russian IL-20 electronic reconnaissance aircraft flew the Sea of Japan and Pacific Ocean routes separately and Japan responded by scrambling of its Air Self Defense Force fighters. One of them reached closer to the Kanto region where Tokyo and central functions of Japan’s political and economical activities are concentrated flying southern course from the northern territory. Another example flew between Takeshima and Oki Islands at the Sea of Japan side to the Korean peninsula and then changed its course to the north.

April 15----A total of six Russian  aircraft were detected flying around Japanese homeland.

April 14---Four Russian aircraft flew around Japan.

April 13---A Russian Il-20 entered Japan’s Air Defense Identification Zone and responded by scrambling of Air Self Defense Force’s interceptors. Defense Ministry said the aircraft flew on the Sea of Japan and headed for north from the west of Hokkaido island.

April 7---Two Tu-142 patrol aircraft were found flying on the Sea of Japan and Japan launched its fighters.

April 5--- Two Il-38 maritime patrol aircraft were detected and Air Self Defense Force scrambled its fighter jets.

The Defense Ministry is closely watching Russian air operations as its air force has intensified its operations after North Korea launched intermediate ballistic missiles on 26 March.

April 7: Tu-142 patrol aircraft flying on the Sea of Japan. (Joint Staff Office, the Ministry of Defense)

April 5: Russian Il-38 found over the Sea of Japan. (Joint Staff Office of the Ministry of Defense picture)