[Llarry]

Japan's air force is called the Japan Air Self Defense Force and is state-of-the art. There are three combat aircraft:
-- The license-built F-15J Eagle
-- The Mitsubishi F-2A, which is a modified F-16 design with larger wing and greater load capacity, emphasizing air-to-surface combat.
-- The new F-35A stealth fighter, just entering service. Japan has also ordered F-35B V/STOL fighters and will be able to operate these from the helicopter carriers that the Navy operates.

Japan has not yet produced an entirely domestically designed fighter but I suspect it is just a matter of time. Presumably the F-15Js, if subjected to the same high-G environment that U.S. F-15Cs are, are getting tired; it may be that the JASDF has done a better job of keeping up with maintenance and rework.

The JASDF operates two different AEW (or AWACS if you prefer) platforms: The Boeing E-767 and the Grumman E-2C/D (not pictured.) They also operate four KC-767 tankers (not pictured), bought before the USAF chose the 767-based KC-46A.

For transport duties, the JASDF operates C-130H Hercules (not pictured) and has also developed and produced a larger twin-jet C-2 transport reminiscent of a smaller C-17.

They have also developed and produced an advanced jet trainer, the Kawasaki T-4.

Given their proximity to Russia, North Korea and China, you might guess that intelligence collection is a priority and you'd be correct. The new C-2 transport is being modified as an RC-2 SIGINT aircraft, replacing the old YS-11EB in service. (The Japanese Navy uses EP-3 SIGINT aircraft as well.)

Heavy-lift helicopters -- the CH-47J Chinook -- are also operated by the JASDF, while the Army (JGSDF) operates attack helos.

The JASDF also has ground-based early-warning units and surface-to-air missile installations.