Japan åpner for kvinnelige jagerflygere - Curt Lewis

Japan may allow female pilots for F-15, F-4 fighters

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagles fly in formation June 11, 2012, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Japan's Defense Ministry will soon allow female Self-Defense Force members to pilot fighter jets. Jim Araos/U.S. Air Force

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan - Japan's Defense Ministry may soon allow female Self-Defense Force members to pilot fighter jets and reconnaissance planes.

The decision - in line with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's policy to create better working environments and opportunities for women - is expected to be announced soon, the ministry said Thursday.

The first female fighter pilots are expected to fly F-15 and F-4 fighter jets after about three years of training, and there are already women within the Japan Air Self-Defense Force who plan to apply, sources told Kyodo News.

Previously, female Self-Defense Forces pilots were allowed to fly only transport and patrol aircraft.

The United States dropped restrictions on women flying combat missions in 1993.