Japan asks USA to ease F-22 Raptor export restrictions

Posted on: Apr. 30th, 2007 || Source: Flight Global | E-mail Article | Print Article

Conditions could be lifted as Washington looks to help ally and keep F-22 in production

Japan is asking the USA to ease restrictions on the export of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, and to provide information on it and the Lockheed F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as part of its search for a new generation of multi-role combat aircraft.

Sources in Tokyo say that prime minister Shinzo Abe raised the issue in meetings with US president George Bush in Washington DC last week, and Japanese defence minister Fumio Kyuma will bring it up when he meets defence secretary Robert Gates on 30 April.

FILE PHOTO - Raptors arrive at Kadena for First Overseas Deployment (2)

» Read also: U.S. arms-sale chief discounts F-22 sale to Japan

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