 From 1968 , the Japan Air Self @-@ Defense Force purchased a total of 140 F @-@ 4EJ Phantoms without aerial refueling , Bullpup ASM system , nuclear control system and ground attack capabilities . Mitsubishi built 138 under license in Japan and 14 unarmed reconnaissance RF @-@ 4Es were imported . Of these , 96 F @-@ 4EJs have since been modified to the F @-@ 4EJ Kai ( 改 , modified ) standard . 15 F @-@ 4EJs were converted to reconnaissance aircraft designated RF @-@ 4EJ , with similar upgrades as the F @-@ 4EJ Kai . Japan had a fleet of 90 F @-@ 4s in service in 2007 . It has been studying several replacement fighters . 
