In a historic first earlier this week, U.S. Marine Corps and British Royal Air Force F-35B Lightning IIs successfully landed and launched from the JS Kaga (DDH-184), a Japanese helicopter carrier undergoing conversion into a light aircraft carrier. This marks the first time since World War II that fixed-wing aircraft have operated from a Japanese vessel.

The JS Kaga, along with its sister ship JS Izumo (DDH-183), is being upgraded to host between 12–24 F-35Bs each. The milestone comes amid Japan’s broader military buildup in response to heightened tensions with China over the disputed Senkaku Islands. The conversion of both carriers is expected to be completed by fiscal year 2027, significantly expanding Japan’s naval aviation capabilities.