The US Defense Department announced on Wednesday a significant upgrade of its military forces in Japan, involving the deployment of dozens of advanced fighter jets as part of a $10 billion modernization plan. This initiative aims to bolster regional deterrence and reinforce the US-Japan Alliance over the next several years.
The Pentagon’s statement detailed the replacement of 36 F-16s at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan with 48 fifth-generation F-35A fighters. Additionally, 36 state-of-the-art F-15EX jets will be stationed at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, substituting 48 older F-15C/D models removed in the past year. Adjustments will also be made to the number of F-35B aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, although specific figures were not disclosed.
“The Department’s plan to station the Joint Force’s most advanced tactical aircraft in Japan demonstrates the ironclad U.S. commitment to the defense of Japan and both countries’ shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” the Pentagon stated.
Japan welcomed the modernization effort, emphasizing its role in enhancing US capabilities in the region. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi remarked on Thursday, “In the face of the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II, and amidst the increased military activities of neighboring countries, the United States is maintaining and strengthening the presence of U.S. forces in Japan to further enhance the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance.”
The strategic significance of the US-Japan alliance has heightened amid regional threats from China, Russia, and North Korea. Japan contends with territorial disputes with Russia and China and confronts North Korea’s advancing missile program, which has seen missiles launched over Japanese territory in recent years. Furthermore, Japan remains vigilant regarding the situation surrounding Taiwan, a critical point of interest given its proximity and strategic importance to Japan’s energy supply routes.
US Air Power in Japan
Kadena Air Base, home to the 18th Wing and dubbed the “Keystone of the Pacific” by the US Air Force, has been central to regional deterrence. With the phasing out of older F-15s since 2022, the introduction of F-15EX jets is set to stabilize the force structure. These advanced jets, produced by Boeing, boast “unparalleled weapons capacity” and next-generation survivability, capable of operating in highly contested environments.
Military aviation analyst Peter Layton highlighted the strategic advantages of the F-15EX, noting its potential to carry long-range cruise missiles that could strike deep within the Chinese mainland. Complementing this, the F-35As designated for Misawa Air Base, known for their stealth capabilities, will enhance survivability in advanced threat environments.
“The F-35 is an excellent low-observable sensor platform that could operate forward in stealth mode relaying data back to patrolling F-15EXs with their supersonic cruise and large air-to-air missile loadouts,” Layton explained.
These aircraft deployments are part of broader improvements to the US military presence in Japan, which hosts over 50,000 US troops, with more than half stationed on Okinawa. The island alone houses over 25,000 US military personnel across more than two dozen installations. Last year, the US and Japan announced the basing of a newly redesignated Marine unit in Japan, equipped with advanced intelligence, surveillance capabilities, and anti-ship missile capabilities.
The ongoing enhancements underscore the enduring partnership between the US and Japan, aimed at maintaining regional peace and stability amid evolving security challenges.