Editor:
With North Korea's arsenal of ballistic missiles, its regime so unstable and with Russia's political future clouded, it is a relief to see that Japan is buying 42 U.S.-made F-35 stealth jet fighters, a modern 21st century aircraft.
China's growing military has just rolled out its version, the Chengdu J-20. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Sen. Joe Manchin should view Japan's purchase as a tribute to the U.S. and sign of its commitment to freedom and democracy in its hemisphere.
S.E. Cotton
Charleston
