Fighter units of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force

As Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution states that the country renounces war, JASDF fighter squadrons have never been deployed in combat overseas.

One of the main activities of JASDF fighter squadrons is providing Quick Reaction Alert intercepts to Chinese and Russian aircraft nearing or violating Japanese airspace.

The closest the JASDF has ever come to combat was in 1987 when it fired warning shots near a Soviet Tu-16 that was violating Japanese airspace.

When the new SDF's air capacity was initially established it was with surplus American aircraft left over from World War II.

[15][16] From the 1950s to the 1970s the JASDF's fighter squadron numbering system was based on the type of aircraft it was equipped with.

As the F-1 and F-2 were designated as fighters with a ground support role they were allocated to single-digit squadrons that formerly operated F-86F aircraft.

[17] The Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin technology demonstrator was developed,[18] and in the future Japan may purchase a new F-22/F-35 hybrid aircraft.