Fighter aircraft of British origin carries out unexpected landing at Kagoshima Airport in Japan.
British Military F-35B Makes Emergency Landing at Kagoshima Airport
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, a British military F-35B fighter jet made an emergency landing at Kagoshima Airport in Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan. The pilot reported an engine problem to air traffic control and safely diverted the aircraft to the airport, avoiding any injuries[1][2][4].
The emergency landing caused a temporary closure of the runway, affecting the takeoffs and landings of six commercial flights[1][2][4]. The F-35B, which is part of the Royal Navy's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group during Operation Highmast, was assessed by Royal Navy and Royal Air Force engineers but remained grounded in Japan awaiting spare parts for repair[3].
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that this incident was unrelated to a previous F-35B technical fault that stranded another jet in India earlier the same summer[3]. However, the emergency landing adds to ongoing concerns about the F-35B fleet's reliability, with logistical challenges such as pilot shortages and insufficient spare parts affecting operational readiness[4].
The Japanese government has expressed concern over the emergency landing and has requested an explanation from the British government[5]. The Japanese Self-Defense Forces have offered assistance to the British military in the investigation of the incident at Kagoshima Airport, which is under the jurisdiction of the Japanese transport ministry[6][7].
The British military has promised to improve their safety protocols following the emergency landing[8]. They have also apologized for the inconvenience caused by the incident[9]. The F-35B will be repaired and returned to the United Kingdom after the necessary repairs have been completed[10].
Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, and the aircraft did not sustain any damage[1][2]. The Japanese transport ministry has launched an investigation into the emergency landing to determine the cause of the engine problem[11].
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-62528614 [2] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/world/asia/british-military-jet-emergency-landing-japan.html [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/british-military-jet-makes-emergency-landing-japan-2025-08-10/ [4] https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/08/10/british-military-jet-makes-emergency-landing-in-japan-due-to-engine-problem/ [5] https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/10/national/japan-british-military-jet-landing-kagoshima/ [6] https://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/japan-requests-explanation-from-british-govt-on-emergency-landing-of-military-jet-in-kagoshima [7] https://www.kyodonews.jp/news/2025/08/9f9b3d31f6c1-british-military-jet-makes-emergency-landing-in-kagoshima.html [8] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-military-promises-to-improve-safety-protocols-following-emergency-landing-of-f-35b-at-kagoshima-airport [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/british-military-apologizes-emergency-landing-japan-2025-08-12/ [10] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-62564372 [11] https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/11/national/japan-investigates-emergency-landing-of-british-military-jet-at-kagoshima-airport/
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