Japan eyes next homegrown passenger aircraft 3 years after SpaceJet's end

Government-backed project to pursue international collaboration

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announced in 2023 that it has discontinued the SpaceJet development program. (Source photos by Nikkei)

FARNBOROUGH, U.K. -- Three years since the Mitsubishi SpaceJet program was scrapped, Japan is once again pursuing the development a homegrown passenger aircraft, but this time in collaboration with overseas partners.