Last year, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy formed a collaboration to develop a new generation of fighter jets. Then, three images showing fighter jets adorned with the Japanese flag were posted on social media, claiming to be Japan’s latest generation fighter jet, which surprised many. These images were widely reshared with such information. However, our verification found that this claim is false.
Social Media Claim
Three images of fighter jets have been widely circulated on social media platforms in recent days, claiming they are Japan’s newly unveiled fighter jets.
The claim garnered significant attention from social media users, with many expressing their admiration for the newly unveiled aviation innovation.
Below is a screenshot of the claim shared on Facebook on February 15, 2025, with the statement: “Japan’s groundbreaking 6th-generation UFO fighter jet stuns the aviation world.”
Below is the screenshot of the same claim shared on Facebook by another social media user on February 24, 2025, which received over 1,000 shares and comments.
Fact Crescendo initiated the debunking process by using Google Reverse Image Search and an AI detection tool, alongside a review of reliable news sources. Through these methods, we uncovered the following facts.
Using keyword searches on Google reveals that Japan, the United Kingdom., and Italy have collaborated to develop advanced fighter jets under their joint initiative, the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP).
Their cooperation was broadly reported by reputable media outlets around the globe including Japan Times, France 24, and the American news agency AP.
According to an AP report, the joint program plans to deploy its advanced fighter jet ten years later after its program inception.
According to reports from Japan Times, France 24, and AP, no fighter jet has been unveiled so far. However, various concepts of the fighter jet were showcased in Japan and the United Kingdom last year.
Below is a screenshot of a model of next-generation fighter jets, jointly developed by Japan, the U.K., and Italy. This model was showcased at the Japan International Aerospace Exhibition in Tokyo last October
Fact Crescendo observed that the images of the fighter jets posted on social media do not resemble the prototypes displayed by the three countries for their joint production plans.
Upon examining the images posted on social media, Fact Crescendo identified several anomalies, leading to the suspicion that these images were created by artificial intelligence programs.
One unusual detail is that all the people in the picture are in the same position or posture, with both hands in their pockets. See the spotted image below.
Suspicious of the image’s authenticity, Fact Crescendo utilized sighteengine’s AI content analysis software. The software revealed that the image was artificially generated, not a depiction of an actual event.
Below is a screenshot from an analysis by the website sightengine, which reveals that the image was generated by an AI program.
According to an article in the US magazine Defense News, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is currently developing a sixth-generation fighter jet for the Japanese Air Force. The new fighter, named the Mitsubishi F-X, is slated for release in 2035, replacing the Mitsubishi F-2. Read the full article here (archived)
Fact Crescendo has attempted to locate a reliable contact for the press officer at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries but has been unsuccessful. We will continue to seek accurate information and provide updates regarding the company’s newly unveiled fighter jet as soon as possible.
CONCLUSION
Fact Crescendo finds out the claim described above is false. The above claim is false. No official photos of Japan’s new generation fighter jet have been released so far. The images posted on social media were created by AI. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which has received a contract from the Japanese government, is currently developing the sixth-generation fighter jet for the Japanese Air Force, scheduled for release in 2035.
