ABSTRACT
Japan's geographic situation, industrial posture, and threat environment have driven its strategists to consistently prioritize local air dominance as a key element of national defense. This chapter outlines how Japan's geography impacts its defensive posture and how Japan's industrial characteristics influence the role airpower plays in its national defense. It provides an overview of Japan's current airpower capabilities, missions, and order of battle. Japan's geographic situation and industrial posture present certain opportunities for competitor states wishing to take advantage of Japanese strategic weaknesses. The chapter traces the developments by reviewing the key policy and strategy documents governing the procurement and tasking of Japan's air forces. It concludes with a brief examination of select current airpower issues, specifically, plans for development an indigenous fifth generation fighters, conversion of ships to carry F-35 fighters, and the acquisition of defensive strike capabilities.
