Japan’s deal for the purchase of nearly 150 US-built F-35 stealth fighters, worth $8 billion and $11 billion, is a costly, major, and multifaceted deal. The purchase relates to Japan’s strategic relationship with the US and could provide a political-economic cushion in the face of trade pressures from Washington. The unconventionally seaborne variants, to be deployed on the converted Izumo-class helicopter carriers, will notably extend Japan’s airborne strike capabilities, replacing a fleet of aging aircraft.
However, this is a purchase raising major budgetary considerations. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Liberal Democratic Party are also eyeing the two US Aegis Ashore anti-missile systems in a mammoth financial commitment after Japan’s defense budget has been deemed tight. Professor William Brooks, of Johns Hopkins University, points out that under the new mid-term defense program, spending will average a 1.1% growth annually- against the current growth rate of 0.8%. This growth notwithstanding, actual spending on defense would still rear well below the committed 1% of GDP cap now at around 0.9% of GDP, which Japan has consistently held since the olden times.
The deal to obtain the F-35 is not devoid of its detractors either. Daito Bunka University associate professor of international relations Garren Mulloy also said that the F-35 is a single-engine plane, while the ASDF has always preferred two-engine fighters. He added that while the F-35 did have a reduced radar signature, it had a much shorter range and far less air-combat capability than the F-15 and arguably the F-2. He said the F-35B has “a very limited capability at a very high cost” and would include the necessity for high-cost maintenance and entirely new simulator systems.
Conversions for the Izumo’s operability of the F-35B include concerns over escort ships, logistical support, and the total aviation support and training network that will draw on other important naval capabilities. In a related response, Terry Roehrig, a US Naval War College Professor of National Security Affairs, claims that realigning their Izumo-class ships to support F-35Bs, consequently badly affects their current antisubmarine warfare (ASW) ability. For now, the ships are believed to serve between 12 and 14 helicopters for anti-submarine attacks because the more the helicopters used, the easier the detection of the submarines, but if the helicopters are extracted to allow the planes, then the ASW ability is lowered.
Nevertheless, with the aging fleet of F-4EJ/RF-4 Phantom IIs and older F-15J/DJ Eagles being considered for replacement, the acquisition of the F-35 is still a prerequisite for the Japanese government. Mike Yeo, the Asia reporter at Defense News, explained: “With Japan already having pushed back the 2030s as the date when its yet-to-be-determined next-gen fighter will enter service, that aircraft will now replace Mitsubishi F-2 fighters, and perhaps even newer F-15s that Japan will upgrade. “.
The acquisition presents nontactical benefits, too. The bulk purchase of F-35s can help Japan avoid the trade-war crosshairs of Washington and mitigate criticism of its trade deficit by the Trump administration. Roehrig added Japan’s increased buying of the F-35 could fill in the new gap left if Turkey is excluded from buying the planes because it purchases Russia’s S-400 anti-aircraft system.
In conclusion, Japan’s acquisition of the F-35, with all the budgetary and logistical implications it entails, may not only be strategic for enhancing defense power but also for maintaining its alliance with the United States. Key questions, after all, include how many F-35s are needed and how this number will affect other vital priorities in the defense of Japan.