Japan's Misa Matsushima Becomes Country's First Female Fighter Pilot

Misa Matsushima becomes Japan’s first female fighter pilot by pushing and placing herself in the traditionally male-dominated country. 26-year-old First Lieutenant Misa Matsushima joined Japan Air Force after her graduation from the National Defense Academy in the year 2014 and become one of the only 13,707 servicewomen working for Japanese troops.

After completing her training this week, in a special ceremony, she was officially named a fighter pilot. Sharing her feelings, Misa said, “ever since I saw the movie 'Top Gun' when I was in primary school, I have always admired fighter jet pilots. As the first female (fighter) pilot, I will open the way. I would like to work hard to meet people's expectations and show my gratitude to people who have been supporting me. I want to become a full-fledged pilot, no different from men, as soon as possible. I hope to be the one to inspire more people to become a pilot”.

Misa Matsushima now will be based at the Nyutabaru Airbase and would begin flying F-15J Fighter Jets. She is from the city of Yokohama, has got her pilot's license in the year 2015, she then completed her fighter pilot training.

The F-15J is a double engine fighter aircraft is designed for air to air combat and is capable of carrying radar and infrared missiles. The highest speed of The F-15J is Mach 2.5, which is 2.5 times speed of the sound or 1918 mph.

In a tweet, Japanese Airforce, also known as Japan Air Self Defence Force declared, “The first female fighter pilot aircraft of the Air Self Defense Force is born”. Until 1993 the JASDF did not accept women as fighter pilots, though many other positions were open to female applicants. The ban on the selection of women fighter aircraft pilot was lifted recently, in the year 2015 as part of the government initiative to increase the number of women workers in the workplace.

In general, women in Japan have been entrusted with the responsibilities of performing household duties and administrative roles. With the increase in aging population and decrease in workforce, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took the initiative in the year 2013 to empower working women.

Japan Defense Forces are now open to women and female leaders, who have started to take the center stage by assuming the previously restricted position in Marine, Air and Ground Forces. In March this year, Japan appointed its first female Navy Commander for a warship squadron.