The Japanese Ministry of Defense has been quietly developing an upgraded version of the legendary YF-23 fighter jet in a secret project that has shocked both the United States and China. Over the past decade, Japan has poured billions of dollars into reviving the YF-23 program which was cancelled by the US Air Force in the early 1990s.

The original YF-23 was a prototype stealth fighter developed by Northrop in competition with the YF-22 (which became the F-22 Raptor). While the YF-23 lost out to the YF-22, it showcased incredibly advanced stealth and aerodynamic technologies that were well ahead of its time.

Through reverse engineering and its own research & development, Japan has managed to resurrect the YF-23 design and significantly upgrade its capabilities to match or exceed today's most advanced 5th generation fighters. Key upgrades include more powerful stealth-optimized engines, advanced AESA radar, integrated EW/ECM suites, and the ability to carry cutting-edge hypersonic missiles and drones.

Japan has reportedly conducted several secret test flights of the upgraded YF-23 over the past few years. Recent satellite imagery even spotted two prototypes stationed at a hidden airbase deep in the mountains. While exact performance numbers are classified, defense analysts estimate the Japanese YF-23 now has supercruise ability, a combat radius of over 1,500 km, and is even stealthier than the F-35.

Both the US and China have expressed shock over Japan's YF-23 program, which threatens to upset the regional military balance. The US is concerned its closest ally in Asia now possesses a fighter on par or better than its own F-22s and F-35s. Meanwhile, China fears the upgraded YF-23 could deny its air force access to airspace near Japanese territory in any potential conflict scenario.

By reviving the YF-23, Japan has demonstrated that even medium powers can now independently develop very advanced military aerospace technologies previously limited to superpowers. It shows that with enough resources and technical know-how, stealth fighter designs abandoned decades ago can be upgraded to match or exceed modern standards.

The revelation of Japan's secret YF-23 program is a wake-up call that reminds the US and China they can no longer take for granted their air superiority over the region. It marks a major milestone in Japan shedding its post-WW2 pacifist constitution to develop offensive military capabilities that can help ensure its security interests amid China's growing assertiveness.

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