Lost secrets

Japan scrambles to recover F-35 fighter jet before Russia or China

Japan has dispatched its most advanced ocean research vessel to join the search for its missing F-35 stealth fighter as it scrambles to recover the ultra-sensitive technology before Russia or China get there first. The Kaimei, a three-year-old survey ship that belongs to Japan’s science ministry, will join the US and Japanese forces hunting for the fuselage of an aircraft that crashed into the ocean off north-eastern Japan on April 9. Japan’s decision to add a civilian vessel to the search highlights the sensitivity of the technology on the fighter as well as the urgent need to understand why a new aircraft suddenly disappeared from radar. “At this time, following a request from the defence ministry and the maritime self-defence forces, the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology research vessel Kaimei has joined the search,” said defence minister Takeshi Iwaya.