Japan: Mitsubishi successfully flies Japan's first ever passenger jet

Japan's first domestic passenger jet, and first domestic aircraft for 50 years, the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), successfully flew its maiden test flight, taking off and landing at Japan's Nagoya airport on Wednesday. The 35-metre (115-feet) long, two engine Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, is Japan's first aircraft for over 50 years since the YS-11 turboprop was released as a commercial airliner in 1962 and discontinued about a decade later. Japanese firms were banned from developing aircraft following Japan's defeat and US occupation after World War II. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, a military contractor, was the same company that built Japan's legendary WWII-era "Zero" fighter jet. The MRJ, which seats 80 passengers, is aimed at competing in the small aircraft market against Brazil's Embraer and Canada's Bombardier. The first MRJ aircraft are planned for delivery to Japan's All Nippon Airways in 2017.