Japanese Navy F-8J VTOL aircraft

Amids the growing tension within asia as china's expansion causes a large threat to the national defense of Japan, in 1987 Japan arm forces would purchase from Great britain the Sea Harrier more than 56 aircraft. Continuation operating on Japan's sole light aircraft carriers and Amphibious assault ship in the navy japan would continue using the Sea harrier, a continuing aircraft built by Kawasaki Aerospace Company.

By 2019, first phasing of the aircraft as many would be sent into long term storage as boeing's F-35B would replace the sea harriers from operational role