KYODO NEWS - Dec 9, 2018 - 08:00 | All, Japan

The interior of a new Japanese government airplane, outfitted for use by imperial family members and the prime minister on overseas visits, was shown to reporters earlier this week for a preview ahead of its entry into service next fiscal year.

The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, one of two planes newly acquired by the government to replace the current Boeing 747 pair, features a VIP room and work areas, along with 106 business-class-type seats for the entourage and members of the press corps.



[Photo courtesy of Air Self-Defense Force]

The plane, bearing the "hinomaru" Japanese flag on its main and tail wings and red curved lines on the fuselage, has been stationed at the Air Self-Defense Force Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido, northern Japan, since August for test runs and crew training. A second new aircraft is scheduled to arrive by the end of the year.

"We are conducting flight training almost every day," said Lt. Col. Yuzo Nagano, the new plane's captain. "We want to be prepared so that we can fly safely."

Japanese government planes are operated by the ASDF's Special Airlift Group. In addition to transporting the emperor, the prime minister and other dignitaries, they are also used in other circumstances such as for repatriating Japanese nationals overseas in emergencies.

The government's current pair of jumbo jets have operated since 1993 and are set to retire from service by the end of March 2019.