A Japanese woman who dreamed of taking to the skies after watching Top Gun is flying high after being named the country's first female fighter pilot.
First Lieutenant Misa Matsushima, 26, of Japan Air Self Defence Force, completed her training and officially earned the title on Friday.
She has vowed to blaze a trail in the sky for other women.
"Ever since I saw the movie 'Top Gun' when I was in primary school, I have always admired fighter jet pilots," she told local media.
"I wish to continue to work hard to fulfil my duty (not just for myself but) also for women who will follow this path in the future," she said.
The air force decided in 1993 to open all positions to women, except for pilots of fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft.
First Lieutenant Misa Matsushima has become Japan's first female fighter pilot. Source: Getty Images
But the limit was lifted in 2015, opening the way for Matsushima to join the elite group of fighter pilots, with three other women now going through training.
Women account for a mere 6.4 percent of Japan's 228,000 troops.
"The first female fighter pilot of the Air Self-Defence Force is born," a tweet (in Japanese) from the Japan Air Self-Defence Force said.
Japan has high levels of gender inequality, with many women expected to become housewives rather than having a career.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called on the nation's corporate world to open leadership positions to women but with little visible success.
