Japan still has the strongest navy in East Asia, though China will surpass them soon. Don't be fooled because they call it a maritime self defense force.
Japan's buying the F35 from the US and also recently started its own fighter jet development program, so whatever their capabilities currently are, they're increasing.
The F35 is a heap of junk for which the US is using all it's "allies" to fund and carry the burden. At least we now all have diminished capabilities not just the US. Win Win.
The F-35 JSF has problems, and I'll be the first to be critical, but it is not a "heap of junk." It's a tremendously capable fifth-generation air superiority fighter that can also serve in CAS, bomber, and ELINT roles.
Its tremendous versatility is one of the main reasons it became so expensive and difficult to develop: jack of all trades, master of none.
