A British F-35B stealth fighter jet made an emergency landing at Kagoshima Airport in southwestern Japan on Sunday (August 10) after encountering a technical malfunction, according to Japanese media outlet Kyodo News. The incident occurred at around 11:30 am local time when the pilot contacted air traffic control, reporting a possible mechanical issue and requesting clearance for an emergency landing. Airport authorities immediately granted permission, and the fighter landed safely without injuries or damage to civilian property.
Following the landing, Kagoshima Airport temporarily closed its runway for about 20 minutes as safety checks were carried out. This closure disrupted normal flight operations, causing delays to both arriving and departing commercial flights. Once the jet was moved to a taxiway and the runway was declared safe, operations resumed.
The F-35B is a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings. It is a key component of the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, which is currently operating in the Indo-Pacific region. The group has recently participated in joint maritime drills with the Indian Navy and other regional partners as part of the UK’s strategic engagement in the area.
The fighter remains at Kagoshima Airport pending technical inspection, with no reported impact on the wider operations of the Carrier Strike Group