Stealth Fighter Jet Japan, Answer Asia Zone Challenge

The Japanese government introduced the first stealth fighter jets made in the country. The aircraft is designed to answer the challenges the Air Force competition from countries in the Asia Zone.

Yoshikazu Takizawa Development and Research Institute of Japan's Defense Ministry, quoted from page Associated Press, Tuesday, March 8, 2011, said that Japan is surrounded by countries that have a stealth fighter. Therefore, Japan does not want to linger in the air force technology.

"If countries that are all around Japan have stealth aircraft, the Japanese need also to develop the ability to ensure internal security," says Yoshikazu Takizawa.

So far, Japan relies on its defense with the help of the United States which is a strong ally of Japan. U.S. alone has 50 thousand troops and several air force combat troops with jet aircraft based in Japan.

However, Japan's close relationship with the United States does not mean the U.S. is pleased to sell the stealth fighter F-22 to Japan. This is because under U.S. law in 1998, the high-tech war should not be sold to other countries. Besides Japan, Israel and Australia also rejected its bid.

"Japan wants the F-22 aircraft, but Congress (USA) does not approve it. We believe the plane was important for us to develop our domestic capabilities," said Yoshikazu Yoshioka.

Japanese stealth fighter prototype called "Shinshin" or "soul" is expected to be immediately tested again within two years, in 2014.

Before Japan, China and Russia had already introduced stealth fighter. Mentioned, Chinese stealth aircraft called "the Chengdu J-20" which tested last January, could rival the U.S. F-22 technology. Although the Chengdu J-20 aircraft still not worth fighting and needs some development, but the plane is quite powerful in breaking the monopoly of U.S. stealth technology.