First Lieutenant Misa Matsushima, 26, will begin duty on Friday having completed her training to fly F-15s, Japan's military has announced. "As the first female (fighter) pilot, I will open the way," she told reporters.
"Ever since I saw the movie Top Gun when I was in primary school, I have always admired fighter jet pilots," the graduate of Japan's National Defence Academy told journalists. "I wish to continue to work hard to fulfil my duty - not just for myself but also for women who will follow this path in the future." Three other women are currently training to join the elite group of fighter pilots.
Japan's air force began recruiting women in 1993 - except as fighter jet and reconnaissance aircraft pilots. It lifted that final ban in late 2015.
Earlier this year, Ryoko Azuma became the first woman to command a warship squadron. When she joined the country's maritime self-defence force in 1996, women were not allowed to serve on warships. That ban was lifted a decade ago, but women are still barred from serving on submarines. Women are also still banned from competing professionally in Japan's national sport, sumo wrestling.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45295212
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