The Mitsubishi regional jet

Japan’s first passenger jet made its maiden test flight Wednesday, a landmark in a decade-long programme to launch the plane aimed at competing with Brazilian and Canadian rivals in the global market for smaller aircraft.

About half a century after the last Japanese-made commercial plane took to the skies, the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), painted with dark blue, red and beige stripes, took off from Nagoya airport under clear skies for a 90-minute trip.

After being barred from developing aircraft following World War II, Japan — and its MRJ jet — is competing with other regional passenger jet manufacturers such as Brazil’s Embraer and Canada’s Bombardier.

“We very much welcome the success of the first flight as it is a new beginning for the Japanese aircraft industry,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.

“We hope that development for delivery of the first plane will go steadily and both public and private sectors will continue to work towards the success of this project.”

On the live streaming website for the flight, one user tweeted: “This is a great achievement.”

Another excited user simply wrote: “Japan’s pride!”

Inside the MRJ

Firms in Japan were banned from developing aircraft by US occupiers following the country’s defeat in World War II.

Mitsubishi Heavy, a military contractor, built Japan’s legendary “Zero” World War II fighter jet.

But the country slowly started rebuilding its aviation industry in the 1950s, starting with carrying out repair work for the US military. It went on to expand its scope to start licensed production of US-developed aircraft for Japan’s military.

Japanese firms have also long supplied parts to plane manufacturer Boeing.

Mitsubishi Heavy unveiled the jet in October last year and has received more than 400 orders.

It plans to make the first delivery to Japan’s All Nippon Airways in 2017.