Japan is considering buying up to 100 F-35 stealth fighters from the US for more than USD 8.8 billion as it seeks to counter China's growing military presence in the region, The Japanese Nikkei business newspaper reported that the Japanese government is preparing to order another 100 F-35 jets in order to replace some of aging F-15s. In addition, the country is once more considering converting a helicopter carrier to aircraft carrier one that can accommodate ‘multi purpose aircraft such as the F-35B.

This latest report appears to solidify earlier claims that the option of converting an Izumo class helicopter carrier to operate F-35Bs was being considered.

The 248-metre long Izumo, Japan’s largest warship equipped with a flat flight deck, was designed with an eye to hosting F-35B fighters.