UK F-35B makes emergency landing in Japan after historic operations with JS Kaga and arrival of Japan’s first jets

A Royal Air Force (RAF) F-35B Lightning II made an emergency landing at Kagoshima Airport, southern Japan, on the morning of August 10. The pilot, who had reported a technical issue and requested diversion, landed safely at around 11:30 a.m. local time. The airport was closed for about 20 minutes while the aircraft was towed off the runway. No injuries were reported, and the jet remained intact.

The incident occurred just days after a historic milestone: for the first time, British and U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs landed on the Japanese helicopter carrier JS Kaga, recently modified to operate the short take-off/vertical landing variant.

The maneuvers were part of joint drills between HMS Prince of Wales, the U.S. Navy, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), strengthening interoperability across the Indo-Pacific.

Royal Air Force F-35Bs made an emergency landing at Kagoshima Airport on August 10. https://t.co/NYTVnhXnkW

— Air Data News (@airwayaviation) August 10, 2025

The milestone coincided with a significant moment for Japanese aviation. On August 7, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) received its first three F-35Bs out of 42 ordered. Built in the United States, the jets will operate from Nyutabaru Air Base and, in the future, from Mageshima, as well as from the JS Izumo and JS Kaga, both undergoing refits to handle the stealth fighters.

With 147 aircraft planned (105 F-35As and 42 F-35Bs), Japan will become the world’s second-largest F-35 operator after the United States. The acquisition is part of a broader plan to boost Japan’s air defense capabilities and enable operations from short runways and ships.

RAF and USMC F-35Bs operated aboard KS Kaga (JASDM)

While the Kagoshima diversion drew public attention, such precautionary landings are not unusual for advanced military aircraft, which follow strict safety protocols.

With HMS Prince of Wales’ strike group still operating near Japan, repairs are expected to be swift, avoiding a repeat of the recent case in which a UK F-35B was stranded in India for more than a month.