A majestic 71 Kokutai flying boat departing its home base for another mission over Japan's vast territorial waters. The aircraft's design history goes back to the mid-sixties and it remains unique in modern times as a four-engined amphibian in full service.

High speed pass by a 3 Kokutai Orion. Looks like the crew was enjoying this as much as the spectators did.

Join the Maritime Self Defence Force, see the world. A Japanese naval helicopter in Amsterdam's IJ Harbour. The tall building is the city's new passenger terminal.

Lifting off from Komatsushima's short runway which is for helicopters only

A total of 83 P-2Js were delivered to the JMSDF between 1969 and 1979. Besides converting the Neptune to turboprop power, Kawasaki incorporated many of the advanced systems used in the Lockheed P-3 Orion. A 54-inch fuselage extension between the wing and cockpit accommodated improved electronics

Aboard the Japanese destroyer Umigiri, visiting Amsterdam.

The JMSDF started receiving this version of the EC135 customised to Japanese requirements in late 2009 as replacements for the OH-6 trainer fleet. So far 13 are in service with 211 KyoikuKok at Kanoya

The Yushukan war museum, next to the controversial Yasukuni shrine, paints an strange picture of Japan's role in World War II. This Zero was built in Nagoya in late 1943. It served in Rabaul where it was abandoned in 1945.

The M6A1 Seiran was designed to emerge from large I-400 class submarines to bomb the locks in the Panama Canal. It never happened. This one received US Navy tail number 47 after capture. Note the Nakajima Kikka jet fighter, inspired by the Me 262, in the background.