A United States Marine Corps (USMC) F-35B short take off vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft was tested for the first time aboard JS Izumo, a helicopter carrier (local designation: helicopter destroyer) of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF)=====================Following a series of modifications to the JS Izumo to enable short take-off and vertical landing operations, a capability that the “B” variant of the F-35 specializes in, U.S. Marines embarked aboard the JS Izumo and worked directly with JMSDF personnel as part of a bilateral effort to ensure the capability test was both effective and safe.Japan announced in August, 2019 that they would purchase 42 F-35B aircraft from the United States. This announcement was particularly significant since the last time Japan operated an aircraft carrier was over 75 years ago.Naval News previously reported that the first phase of the modification work to operate F-35B was completed this Summer. The modifications included new deck markings and heat-resistant coatings. JS Izumo’s sistership, JS Kaga, will also receive those modificaitons. Next, the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System or JAPLS will be fitted aboard both ship and the shape of the fore-deck will be modified: It will feature a rectangular shape similar to the US Navy’s LHAs to make it easier to operate the F-35B.