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What if the Lockheed bribery scandals had been revealed earlier?

In 1960, the Japanese Diet conducted an investigation into an aggressive lobbying campaign putting forward the F-104 Starfighter as Japan’s next fighter. The investigation revealed the extent to which Lockheed had bribed Japanese political, military, and business leaders. This scandal, along with popular protests against the revised US-Japan Security Treaty, resulted in the resignation of the Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi and many prominent Liberal Democratic Party members. The Japan Socialist Part, under the leadership of Saburo Eda, rose to power on a centrist platform of “structural reform” and opposition to the United States’ interference in Japan’s domestic policies. The new, socialist Japanese Diet passed legislation to strengthen the Japanese aviation industry and imposed a ban on the purchase of US aircraft. The Self Defense Force was directed to explore other fighter aircraft. Aircraft from the Soviet Union were out of the question. The Mirage III was considered an outstanding option, but negotiations with the French broke down over the issue of licensing and technology transfers for domestic production. The English Electric Lightning was also considered, but it was rejected due to its limited range and complicated weapon system. Eventually, the Japanese settled on the versatile Saab Draken from non-aligned Sweden.

A commission by rOEN911: www.deviantart.com/roen911

Description

What if the Lockheed bribery scandals had been revealed earlier?

In 1960, the Japanese Diet conducted an investigation into an aggressive lobbying campaign putting forward the F-104 Starfighter as Japan’s next fighter. The investigation revealed the extent to which Lockheed had bribed Japanese political, military, and business leaders. This scandal, along with popular protests against the revised US-Japan Security Treaty, resulted in the resignation of the Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi and many prominent Liberal Democratic Party members. The Japan Socialist Part, under the leadership of Saburo Eda, rose to power on a centrist platform of “structural reform” and opposition to the United States’ interference in Japan’s domestic policies. The new, socialist Japanese Diet passed legislation to strengthen the Japanese aviation industry and imposed a ban on the purchase of US aircraft. The Self Defense Force was directed to explore other fighter aircraft. Aircraft from the Soviet Union were out of the question. The Mirage III was considered an outstanding option, but negotiations with the French broke down over the issue of licensing and technology transfers for domestic production. The English Electric Lightning was also considered, but it was rejected due to its limited range and complicated weapon system. Eventually, the Japanese settled on the versatile Saab Draken from non-aligned Sweden.

A commission by rOEN911: www.deviantart.com/roen911