Japan eyes government support for military aircraft exporters

overchan Of course its possible. Japan had the vest planes back in ww2

Sorry Overchan but that's simply not the case. Yes, the Zero was superior to allied aircraft at the outset of the war, but it was superior based on WW1 arial tactics requiring maneuverability. Once the Allies developed new tactics the Zero's weaknesses, such as poor armor protection for the pilot and gas tank, were easily exploited, particularly by next generation fighters like the Hellcat and Mustang. And unlike the Germans, who at the end of the war had superior aircraft, like the FW TA 152 and the ME 262 jet fighter, but lacked fuel and skilled pilots, the newer generation Japanese fighters, like the Navy's Shinden and the Army's Hayate, while fine aircraft, were not in the same class as their Allied and German counterparts. The Japanese were soundly defeated both technologically and tactically. Indeed, at the Battle of Midway, they fought a Carrier engagement using WW1 Battleship tactics, with tragic results, from which they never recovered.

But the main question is, does the world really need another arms manufacture? At the moment, arms manufacturing and aerospace is the only area the US can still dominate, and in my opinion, the US (and mankind) suffers as a result. Japan should focus on peaceful technology, like renewable energy technologies and strive regain it's former leadership in consumer electronics development.

Zero fighters never evolved no armor, poor, poor armaments and lack of firsight im pilot training.

Its true Overchan. At the beginning of the war Japanese planes could easily outmaneuver the Allies, but sometime during the war the Allies somehow caught up.

As for Japan's military: I believe Japan should fully rearm no matter how much the Koreans and Chinese whine, moan, and b*&^h about WW2.

It's time the Japanese aeronautics industry learned to stand harder on the taxpayers' own two feet.

Of course its possible. Japan had the vest planes back in ww2

I wouldn't be surprised Mitsubishi and Kawasaki aeronautics take away Boeing business very soon. Right now, complicated technical areas, Boeing depend on Mitsubishi. Not only these two but there are several heavy industry corporations in Japan that can expand their operations to weapon manufacturing. Even Nissan had military tanks creation history during WW II. On air Zero for Kamikaze, Nissan's tanks in China during WW II. So, weapon industry in Japan is possible.

Hmmm... How does a Mitsubishi Zero 2 fighter sounds?

It's time Japanese national defense industry learns how to stand on it's own feet, just like China has.

Pure and simply, this is just corporate welfare for LDP and bureaucratic friends. Already financial institutions are given easy credit and now defense contractors want support when they could easily go into the marketplace if they are in need of capital.

That was a beautiful aircraft. Same as I wish the RAF's TSR2 had been given the green light.

I don't see an issue as long as the C-2 and the US-2 are developed for civilian sales. Military equipment can find ready markets for civilian use... they tend to be more robust, being designed for work outside what a civil aircraft would be required to do. Even the Lancaster bomber was converted post war into an airliner - the Lancastrian, while the Boeing B29 gave birth to the C-97 Stratofreighter, which in turn evolved into the Stratocruiser airliner.

I wish Canada had continued making the Arrow.