Sep 14 (NHK) - Japan's Board of Audit has found that no Japanese-made parts were used in state-of-the-art F-35 fighter jets, violating a contract with the United States.
Japan's Defense Ministry plans to introduce 42 of the stealth aircraft as the next-generation mainstay fighter of the country's Air Self-Defense Force.
The jet was jointly developed by the US and 8 other countries. Its production started in 2012.
Japanese subcontractors were supposed to join the production the following year, with a view to nurturing the country's defense-related industry.
But Board of Audit officials found that 2 aircraft ordered in 2013 have no Japanese-made parts.
This is attributed to a delay in delivery from the US of materials for the parts.
The officials suggest that domestically-produced parts may also not be used in 4 F-35s now in production.
Source: ANNnewsCH
