business

Japan unveils first domestically made passenger jet in four decades

25 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2014 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

25 Comments
Login to comment

The heavy national pride angle, as opposed to market considerations, is very worrying, especially since I helped fund this as a taxpayer in Japan.

It's going to be a very, very crowded market after the Chinese and Russians pile in, and Honda, and it's still a pretty small market. I fly a lot in various parts of the world on various types of routes, and I very rarely fly in this class of aircraft.

-15 ( +4 / -19 )

I've only flown an E-170 on a JAL flight from Sendai to Itami. The other short flight from OKJ to HND was a 737. All other domestic flights in Japan have been 777s and an upcoming 787. I still think it's a small market and I was under the impression 737s were the norm for these short hops in Japan. Are they targeting this jet for export?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japan unveils first domestically made passenger jet in four decades , , , and then announces a recall.

-16 ( +3 / -19 )

Honda only has a business jet not a passenger airliner, both Russia( Sukhoi Superjet 100) has been in the market for the past two to three years and have sold 300 jets with 45 actually delivered. PRC (ARJ-21) had made her maiden flight in 2008 but still has not been able to obtain certification.

The main competitors of the narrow body passenger jets has been Brazil(Embraer) and Canada(Bombardier) but their new models CSeries and E-Jet E2 family have not obtained their certification or delivery either.

Basically it's a fairly leveled playing field with any player having a chance to obtain a peice of the market.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

For the Japan domestic market there is a need. There are locations where it would be impractical to fly to 777 or even 737 (mainly minor destinations or the smaller islands of Tokyo) where airines already flies small turboprop or regional jet aircraft (eg the CRJ, Q400 etc). In the US Market, there is a huge market for those regional jets.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

This IS a necessary step for Japan to enhance its technological competitiveness in the global and domestic market. For far too long have overseas firms dictated the price and limited types of aircraft a nation could operate. At least this will push aircraft manufactur ers to create a better more efficient types oif aircraft and hopefully bring back a better choice for consumers.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

The problem so far isn't the lack of competition, it's Japanese blinked vision about America. A lot of companies forget there are other countries in the world beside America. Airbus has repeatly tried to sell aircraft in Japan, but ANA and JAL aren't interested. Hence the mark up. Now moving on to the sales target of 5000 planes. I wonder how realistic that figure is. I can't imagine budget airlines (LCC) in Europe being interested. They make money on the extras they can sales. Hence the need for decent sized aircraft. Recently Jetstar has been buying bigger planes not smaller ones. Ah well, let's see what happens.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Reza Rahman

JAL has an order of 31 orders and another 25 options for Airbus 350.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Reza Rahman

ANA has 37 A320s and 7 A321s as well.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

"Basically it's a fairly leveled playing field"

Massive government support and "level playing" are two starkly conflicting concepts.

"For the Japan domestic market there is a need."

What the about the Shinkansen and eventually the Maglev?

"...mainly minor destinations or the smaller islands of Tokyo"

The average age of the populations there is about 80. And they're mainly elderly farming and fishing folk, not jetsetters. LOL.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Massive government support and "level playing" are two starkly conflicting concepts.

How about Russia, PRC and/or Brazil and their projects?

Shinkansen nor the Maglev connects regional cities to other regional cities like Nigata to Fukuoka, Kanazawa to Kagoshima,etc. nor do they provide service to islands like Yakushima, Amami Oshima,etc. There are many tourists both domestic and from abroad heading to those area and is going attract more with these new Jets.

Someone really can't accept the truth that Japan is luring more tourist from abroad. LoL

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Japanese engineering and manufacturing is simply the best! When you're going to risk your life by flying, at least you'd want to ensure the aircraft you're on was solidly engineered and constructed!

1 ( +6 / -5 )

There is a big market for regional jets and if indeed this plane is " a fuel-efficient, next-generation aircraft that claims to offer more passenger comfort with lower operating costs" maybe it will be better than the competition.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Why don't people design plane to use low quality fuel.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Why don't people design plane to use low quality fuel.

Or a magic carpet even!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Connecting this to visitors for the Olympics is ludicrous.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japanese engineering and manufacturing is simply the best! the Germans would argue with you about that claim, yes Japan has world class manufacturing but transfering that to an aircraft is no quick or cheap step. Embraer and Bombardier have a proven safety and service history of there aircraft, something MRJ has yet to prove. Im guessing theyll have to sell there jets at discount rates, subsidize by the J taxpayer to get airlines to buy them over Embraer and Bombardier.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

What do you mean by "low quality"? Jet fuel isn't exactly gasoline.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"he Germans would argue with you about that claim".

I'm not trying to be biased towards German products. But, have you ever seen a BMW resume from stopping on a inclined slope? It literally rolls backward by a few feet before it gains the traction to go forward. I have never seen a Toyota go backward after you release the brakes on an incline slope...

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I'm sure it will fly well cause a beautiful plane is always a good plane. The MRJ looks superb. I'm sure it will be very popular in many domestic routes around the world. Good luck and the best.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

such a beautiful aircraft!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I have never seen a Toyota go backward after you release the brakes on an incline slope... driving school 101, when on a slope you apply load first through the accelerator before releasing the handbrake. autos its easy, manuals you need to drop the clutch slowly, when i went to school if the car rolled back at all it was points lost. if a driver cant do a hill start they shouldnt be driving

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Excellent news. With a space program that has a very good track record (JAXA), it's good to see more progress in aircraft technology as well.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

seats, trays, and everything will have little tags saying "MADE IN CHINA". wanna bet?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

As an American who's lived here fifty years and watched as Japan sieved off valuable foreign technologies for their own closed markets, I must admit I hope this venture falls flat on its face.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites