Yes, Prime Minister of Japan

The United States strongly supports Japan's possession of heavy air superiority fighters in Northeast Asia, at least to reassure itself that Japan and China will definitely fight over leadership in Northeast Asia.

In order to win, the Pentagon immediately reported to the White House that they had reached a cooperation agreement with Li Xinghe.

Soon, the news that Japan was going to spend a lot of money to buy the F-15-EX production line was highlighted as a "win-win-win" moment by the White House.

The Pentagon and Boeing quickly reached an agreement, and in exchange for $10 billion from Li Xinghe, the Pentagon sold the design and production blueprints for the F-15-EX. This was an unexpected windfall, as Boeing didn't particularly value the F-15-EX as a heavy air superiority fighter. Every little bit helps. Li Xinghe later handed over the complete set of F-15-EX blueprints to the new aircraft manufacturing team, currently led by engineers from the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, instructing them to quickly modify it into the required air superiority fighter.

The United States publicly stated that Li Xinghe was prepared to spend $100 billion to introduce the F-15-EX production line to replace the old F-15J and maintain air superiority in Northeast Asia.

What we sell doesn't matter, but we must benchmark against China.

Western media outlets have been actively reporting on this, creating a public opinion atmosphere that suggests a tug-of-war between China and the US in Japan.

The one who will suffer the most is, of course, the Taipei DPP regime, which has already been abandoned by the public.

Taiwan's pro-independence camp: "Dad, what about me?"

Nobody cared.

Chapter 774: Hainan Airlines Goes to Qingdao for Training, Taiwanese Immigrate to Japan (4700 words)

Tokyo, Yokota Base.

As the headquarters of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, its former neighbor was the U.S. military stationed in Japan, and its current neighbor is the Japan-Japan Joint Forces.

The coastal combat brigade and the 1st and 2nd Joint Forces divisions are all based here. Therefore, aside from the gradually decreasing number of Ukrainians, the Air Self-Defense Force's new neighbors have always been Chinese. Furthermore, both sides share a canteen, dormitories, and supporting facilities such as a kindergarten and hospital, fostering friendship and relationships.

Today, the Air Self-Defense Force officers, who had just returned from Christmas outings, were gathered in the auditorium for a meeting.

On the wall hang the three tenets of loyalty: "Loyalty to the country, loyalty to the land, and loyalty to the people." These were the new admonitions that Li Xinghe issued to the Air Self-Defense Force after the death of Uchikura Hiroaki.

The ceremonial officer played military music:

"Chief of Staff has arrived!"

The Self-Defense Force officers stood up and shouted slogans:

"Absolute loyalty! Absolute purity!"

Lieutenant General Takuto Ogasawara, Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, led his team quickly into the ranks, removed his hat in greeting, and then announced the latest internal selection decision:

"We will assemble the most loyal, reliable, trustworthy, and patriotic warriors to form the '001 Loyal Patriot Team' and travel to the Qingdao base in Shandong Province, China, to participate in a formal ski-jump aircraft carrier takeoff and training course on the Liaoning aircraft carrier, so as to bring back the most advanced and powerful aircraft carrier aviation force for the country."

"Well!"

The flight officers below began to stir.

The first aircraft carrier, the first batch of carrier-based aircraft—everyone wants to be the first and gain the greatest honor.

Takuto Ogasawara continued:

"To ensure you can participate in the training course as soon as possible, Lord Taiko has made tremendous efforts (referring to making a phone call). He has also put in a lot of effort to raise the funds (referring to extorting Google and Apple). On the first day after the New Year, you must set off immediately and secretly head to Qingdao."

Regardless, Li Xinghe proved through his diplomatic skills that he is the one capable of leading the Self-Defense Forces to a safer position. Even if the Air Self-Defense Force is pro-American, it must start from scratch learning Chinese avionics and carrier-based aircraft operations.

The good news is that Chinese avionics systems are much easier to learn than American ones.

Think of the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, which is known as the "flying wheelchair"—it's so easy to learn and use that anyone can do it.

"But..." Mei Youyoumei wanted to see Lin Zaizai...

Takuto Ogasawara, recalling the tense aerial battle over Tokyo last year, said:

"Because of past events, all of you must undergo the most rigorous background screening. For officers who have made militaristic, overly pro-American, or anti-China remarks, we regret to inform you that you will have to withdraw from the selection process. For officers whose air force performance is insufficient, who are underage, or who have poor learning abilities, we apologize that you will also have to withdraw from the selection process."

The past events do not refer to the war of aggression against China, but rather to the coup attempt orchestrated by Hiroaki Uchikura of the Air Self-Defense Force, who attempted to overthrow Lee Sung-ha by flying F-15J fighter jets and F-4 trainer jets over and bombing the Imperial Palace into a crater, trying to kill Lee Sung-ha.

Because of this incident, the Maritime Self-Defense Force privately requested that the Air Self-Defense Force be dismantled and its naval aviation be placed under its command. Even the Ground Self-Defense Force said they were willing to take over the Army Aviation Corps.

In the end, Li Xinghe rejected this outrageous suggestion.

It's mainly because it feels so familiar; it's like stepping back into the days when the navy and army were arguing like idiots.

In any case, the Air Force is the army with the lowest level of trust among the three armed forces.

However, since Japan's air force is under the jurisdiction of the Air Self-Defense Force, the selection of naval aviators also requires finding Air Self-Defense Force officers.

Taking into account political stance and age, all 40 Self-Defense Force officers selected internally this time are young people under the age of 25 who have just graduated from the National Defense Academy.

This initially displeased many Air Self-Defense Force officers who were slightly older but had extensive flying experience.

Before their departure, these young Self-Defense Force officers were taken to the Peace and Defeat Memorial Park for ideological education, group photos, and to write reflections on anti-war sentiments to demonstrate their political stance.

The veteran officers then went to the park to take photos in front of the Sino-US "Swords as Flowers" sculpture, and wrote letters in blood to the chief of staff to plead for help.

"This is my petition written in blood. Please allow us to participate in the assessment! Flying fighter jets over aircraft carriers is our wholehearted pursuit!"

The Self-Defense Force officers who had already been selected, those who wanted to join but failed and wrote a blood oath, and those who were right-leaning and pro-American, were glaring at each other, almost ready to tear each other apart and fight.

After much fighting, the number of people required to learn carrier-based aircraft operation had to be increased to 50.

The coalition forces couldn't understand the commotion caused by the Air Self-Defense Force next door.

However, before the Japanese New Year, Koide Zhangda, He Yang and others also had to go to Ningbo and Qingdao to contact the high-ranking officers of the East China Sea Fleet.

As they left the airbase, a modified F-15, tuned and altered by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation engineers, was being towed into Yokota Air Base by a military transport plane. Unfortunately, its entire exterior was covered in cloth, preventing most people from noticing its distinctive features.

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has a large number of F-15Js, but unfortunately only about 100 have undergone relatively good upgrades, and the rest will be retired one after another.

As the new "Eagle of Air Superiority," this aircraft is based on the F-15J and is currently undergoing further modifications at Yokota Air Base to serve as a test aircraft for the next stage of testing.

The project manager in charge of the entire Shenyang Aircraft Corporation project was Wang Shengming, a cheerful and talkative man from Northeast China. He was said to have made outstanding contributions and received so many accolades that they could fill the entire office.

He met with Zhang Da, He Yang, and others who were preparing to leave for China on business.

"Old Wang, a new plane?"

He Yang's casual question opened up a floodgate of conversation for Wang Shengming.

He patted the airplane and immediately began a long and detailed introduction:

"The new aircraft will be developed in two versions. One is based on the F-15-EX and will be developed with Chinese avionics. It will have a total of 25 hardpoints, three phased array radars, active radar guidance, digital fly-by-wire flight control, and small canards. We expect it to carry PL-10, PL-12, and PL-15 air-to-air missiles, as well as 200/500/2000 kg aerial bombs. It will have 6 hardpoints for anti-ship missiles and air-to-ground missiles. With a full load plus conformal fuel tanks, its takeoff weight will reach 35 tons. Its maximum speed is Mach 2.6, its combat radius is 1300 km, and its maximum range is 2400 km."

"The second version is the carrier-based version, which reduces the number of hardpoints, the weight, and especially the size. There are quite a few changes to be made."

The army leaders couldn't understand, and they all exaggerated:

"That sounds really impressive."

Indeed, the F-15 project, as the eagle of the skies during the most glorious period of the United States, naturally has its design advantages.

But Wang Shengming had much more to say:

"The Americans' stuff does have some merits. But this thing is just a modified F-15EX, which was designed in the last century. There is still a lot of room for improvement in its aerodynamic layout. According to our current calculations, it should be able to be strengthened. We are currently preparing to dig out several aerodynamic layouts from the old J-31 design drafts and modify them. If successful, you will see a giant brick flying in the sky, which can smash the opponent to death with one blow."

The F-15 series is fundamentally a supersonic heavy air superiority fighter. After abandoning ground attack capabilities, it has been completely upgraded to an aerial supersonic weapon, all for the purpose of air superiority combat.

Although I later discovered that attacking the enemy was also quite enjoyable, it was an unexpected bonus.

The roughnecks don't really understand aircraft coefficients; they just need to hear "supersonic" and "very powerful."

He Yang and the others waved goodbye to him:

"Hainan Airlines will definitely love such a great plane. Bye, we're heading back home now."

Watching the group of army officers walk out, Wang Shengming lowered his head in thought:

"Emmm, hard to say."

Both the original and the improved versions are twin-engine heavy air combat aircraft, which are still too big. The Air Force would definitely prefer them.

However, Hainan Airlines prefers medium-sized aircraft, but its current objective is near-shore air superiority defense, and Li Xinghe does not have time to equip them with better standard aircraft.

……

I flew from Tokyo to Shanghai.

One group went to Ningbo, and another group went to Qingdao.

He Yang, Xiao Chuzhang, and others came to Ningbo with a political mission to have a dialogue with the high-ranking officials of the East China Sea Fleet.

The leader asked them with a smile:

"Not too much pressure, right?"

Although they were indeed being criticized, several division commanders of the coalition forces shook their heads:

"The fact that the higher-ups are entrusting the aircraft carrier to our coalition forces is the greatest sign of their trust."

However, after finishing his sentence, Hu Zhantian still made a small complaint:

"The public is practically tearing us apart. Zhejiang got the 004, Guangdong and Jiangsu are arguing fiercely over the nuclear-powered 005, and Hunan and Hebei are fighting over the sixth aircraft carrier. Then who knew that a special export aircraft carrier would suddenly appear out of nowhere, and now netizens from four provinces are blasting us. Sigh, I'm sweating buckets when I read the online comments."

When the news first broke, netizens were outraged, their anger surging like the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. The coalition soldiers were so angry they dared not leave their homes, fearing the backbiting and condemnation from netizens who had come from China. Hundreds of millions of people launched a frenzied online attack on Li Xinghe's ancestors.

Of course, some netizens also asked why Hebei is qualified to compete for an aircraft carrier slot.

Clearly, Hebei is also a coastal province!

The outcry from the public has prompted many media outlets to try to control the temperature by bringing up Li Xinghe's ancestral home to continue the discussion, attempting to use this connection to suppress the heated debate.

"This cooperation is indeed very groundbreaking. Whether it's the largest arms purchase in history, the leaks of information to Taiwan, or the manipulation of Japan's political stance, please bear with us."

The leaders of the East China Sea Fleet patted them on the shoulder and joked:

"You guys don't seem to be under much pressure."

He Yang tried to save face for himself:

"I'm from Sichuan, and I've already deployed the Type 076 mini-aircraft carrier."

Although he said he didn't care, he still had to call the Type 076 amphibious assault ship a small aircraft carrier to comfort himself.

A small step forward reveals a large chest:

"I feel that at most, our Ryukyu Kingdom can only get a 076."

"what?"

"Take a piss and look at yourself. Do you even deserve it?"

The other inland provinces in the group were getting impatient. Why should they? Ryukyu is just a small archipelago, a city-level region, and they get a Type 076? What about us, from Henan, Anhui, Hubei, Shanxi, and Gansu? What kind of ships are we supposed to be using?

At most, your Ryukyu Islands can only field a Type 055 destroyer!

It seemed they were about to argue about whose hometown deserved a better ship, so everyone could only shrug.

Just as the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's naval air officers went to Qingdao for training, the top leadership of the Joint Forces discussed establishing a standing liaison mechanism with the East China Sea Fleet in Ningbo, and a Type 055 destroyer was launched at the Jiangnan Shipyard to install multiple sections of the aircraft carrier into a single unit, the United States finally reacted.

They always need to prove their presence of power in East Asia.

Therefore, the US military has made a firm decision to reopen its military bases in the Philippines.

The news also reached China and Japan.

"The U.S. military has officially begun its entry into the Philippines. Although not publicly announced, Clark Air Base and Subic Bay U.S. military base have been reopened, and it is said that the homeports of the USS Kennedy and USS Washington will be moved there."

The Seventh Fleet and the Fifth Air Force will also be relocated to the Philippines in succession.

US military bases in Japan will be closed by the US military in succession.

……

December 30, 2029, is the time when Japanese people prepare for the New Year.

Major television stations are preparing New Year's programs.

Li Xinghe also prepared "winning strategies" for the Japanese people.

The television station broadcast a report:

"This year, the price of rice has decreased and stabilized at 3500 yen per kilogram, down from a peak of 10,000 yen per kilogram. It is expected to decrease further to 3000 yen per kilogram next year..."

"This year, Tokyo's vegetable index has dropped significantly, and the average amount of vegetables consumed per person has increased by one-third..."

"This year, Japan's GDP finally stopped its incessant decline. In dollar terms, Japan's GDP recorded positive growth of over 12%, the highest ever. In local currency terms, nominal growth reached 6%, and real growth exceeded 3%..."

"This year, Japan's population has seen positive growth..."

The actual growth was due to two main reasons. First, the yen finally bucked the trend and appreciated against the dollar, gradually aligning itself with the renminbi and halting its continuous decline. Second, Li Xinghe's industrial reforms, the surge in joint ventures, and infrastructure expansion, along with a large influx of US-backed safe-haven funds into Tokyo seeking investment opportunities, contributed to the growth.

Judging from economic data and current price levels, Japan is indeed a country where most areas are still developed. The wealthy still have some surplus, and the elderly still have considerable retirement assets. As a result, the number of adopted children has increased by tens of thousands this year, mainly due to Japanese elderly families adopting young people of Chinese descent, thus passing on the legacy of elder care to their descendants.

With such impressive economic figures, coupled with Li Xinghe's multi-billion dollar aircraft carrier order, the Japanese people's morale has finally begun to recover.

If we disregard the 'Yasukuni Shrine', the 'Peace and Defeat Memorial Park', and the 'bloodline change of the Imperial Family', Li Xinghe is indeed the most suitable shogun for Japan.