A British F-35B Lightning II fighter jet made an emergency landing at Kagoshima Airport in Kirishima City, Japan, on the morning of 10 August, according to Japanese media.
No injuries were reported and the airport has resumed normal operations. Verified imagery has confirmed this.
The Kagoshima Airport Office said the aircraft landed shortly after 11:30am local time after the pilot reported a possible mechanical problem to air traffic control. NHK footage showed the jet parked near the runway at 2:00pm with no visible damage.
“The fighter pilot had contacted air traffic control in advance, stating that he was experiencing a possible mechanical problem and wishing to make an emergency landing,” the airport office told NHK.
Following the landing, the airport closed its runway for around 20 minutes while the F-35B was moved to a taxiway and safety checks were carried out. Six departing and arriving flights were delayed by about 20 minutes.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense confirmed the aircraft was a British carrier-based F-35B from HMS Prince of Wales, which is currently deployed in the Western Pacific as part of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG25). “The aircraft landed at Kagoshima Airport due to a malfunction,” the ministry said.
HMS Prince of Wales and several accompanying vessels are in the region conducting joint training with the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military, with exercises scheduled to continue until 12 August. The deployment forms part of Operation Highmast, demonstrating the UK’s ability to operate alongside allies in the Indo-Pacific.
The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment.
AloJapan.com