A low-key, but so far uncompromising, campaign is underway in Japan to add stealth to the nation’s defense arsenal by acquiring the Lockheed Martin F-22. The rationale for buying the fighter—little talked about, but central to the debate—is missile defense.

In its latest move—a decision to accelerate upgrades of its F-15J Eagles and operate them longer—Japan is buying more time for its campaign to get the Raptor.

Despite the country’s own ban on offensive capabilities, Japanese and U.S. planners say the only effective ballistic and cruise missile defense of Japan must include the ability to penetrate enemy air defenses to strike missiles before they can be launched.

Hawk and Patriot missiles and Aegis air defense ships aren’t enough to stop all the ballistic and low-visibility cruise missiles, say military and aerospace industry officials. Some of them also contend that nonstealthy aircraft can’t penetrate an integrated air defense if it includes double-digit surface-to-air missiles like the Russian-designed SA-10, SA-20 and SA-22.

An air force must at least be able to attack the launch sites “to put an offensive ballistic missile capability at risk,” a senior U.S. Air Force official involved in the debate says. “You’ve got to get out in front of [cruise and ballistic] missile launches. Otherwise, some are going to get through.”

F-22 pilots hint at the fighter’s capabilities.

“I can understand why the Japanese are concerned,” says Lt. Col. Wade Tolliver, commander of the 27th Fighter Sqdn. that deployed its F-22s to Okinawa earlier this year. “There are significant [strike fighter and missile] threats out there, and it’s not just one particular country that has the really good systems. There are countries that are developing these very advanced aircraft and missiles and selling them to anybody that has the money. That’s scary.

“We do have cruise missile defense capability,” he says. “The reality of the Air Force is that we try to train to the highest threat. It’s not just today’s war that we’re fighting.”

U.S. aerospace industry officials say they are beginning to see a plan in Japan’s actions since Congress recently prohibited foreign F-22 sales.

“There are big [defense and industry] issues,” says an aerospace industry official with insight into several Japanese projects. “The military can delay the F-X fighter selection if the F-4EJs could be kept flying a little longer. The issue will be having something for industry to build. F-2 production is about to stop and another platform is needed.” The upshot is that Japan may delay the F-X decision, but it can’t wait too long because of the resulting pressure from the country’s industrial base.