
Bell, November 21, 2024 - Tokyo, Japan – Bell Textron Co., Ltd., a Textron Inc. company, is proud to celebrate a decade since its formation as a registered company in Japan, honoring a 72-year legacy.
Danny Maldonado, chief commercial officer, Bell, said “As Bell Japan commemorates the 10th anniversary of its opening, we are reminded of an outstanding legacy in the Japanese archipelago that we have carefully cultivated for 72 years. Bell Japan embodies the spirit of kaizen, innovation and growth, so this milestone is not just a reflection of our past achievements, but a testament of our commitment to collaboration and excellence – all of which continue to drive us forward in such a dynamic market.”
1952 – Founders of Japan Helicopter & Aeroplane Transports Co., Ltd., the predecessor of All Nippon Airways, with one of two Bell 47D-1s they purchased.
1953 – Their goal was to restore regular air transportation services disrupted by World War Two so Japan Helicopter & Aeroplane Transports Co., Ltd. bought two Bell 47D-1s to kickstart helicopter operations.
1955 - Aero Asahi’s genesis is closely tied to Bell as well – they launched operations in 1955, using two Bell Model 47s and became a CSF in 1994. In May 2018, Aero Asahi received their 23rd Bell rotorcraft, a Bell 412EP. Japan General Aviation Service (JGAS) was named Japan’s sole Bell 505 Authorized Maintenance Center (AMC) in 2022, performing maintenance work for both commercial and government-operated aircraft. JGAS also purchased Japan’s first Designer Series Bell 429 for corporate transport work in March 2024.
1960 – Shin-Nihon Helicopter came into business in 1960 and has utilized Bell aircraft ever since, including this Bell 47G-2 – their first helicopter.
Bell made another leap in the archipelago in 1960 – a technical assistance agreement was signed with Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd and they received an order of UH-1B utility helicopters from the Defense Agency. This was the beginning of a longstanding relationship.
1964 - Licensed production of the UH-1B commercial variant, the FUJI-BELL 204B, began in 1964. The UH-1J was developed as the successor of the UH-1B / 1H and soon after, the FUJI-BELL 205B was introduced to the market in 1995. In June 2022, SUBARU delivered the first locally manufactured UH-2 utility helicopter to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The UH-2 was produced, based on the SUBARU BELL 412EPX, which was jointly developed for military and commercial markets as an advanced variant of the Bell 412EPI.
1966 / 1967 – Bell helicopters were heavily involved in the filming of You Only Live Twice, the fifth movie in the James Bond series, which was primarily done in Japan. Shown here is the Kawasaki-Bell 47G-3, utilized as a pursuit craft in a few scenes and as a filming platform.
1995 – The FUJI-BELL 205B, an improvement of the FUJI-BELL 204B, obtained type certification from Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and was introduced to market.
2016 – Aomori Prefecture’s Firefighting and Disaster Prevention Agency was the first customer for the Bell 412EP in Japan in 1995 and 21 years on, they became the inaugural Japanese customer for the Bell 412EPI.
2017 – NAKANIHON AIR has purchased around 80 aircraft from Bell since 1960 and in 2017, at Heli-Expo 2017, they added to the tally with an order for two Bell 429s, configured for Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) work.
SUBARU, known as Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. until 2017, a brand steeped in Japanese heritage.
2018 – After four Bell 505s were delivered to the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), they became the first governmental agency globally to use the model as a basic helicopter trainer.
2019 – Shin-Nihon Helicopter became the first operator in Japan to purchase the Bell 407GXi. Two helicopters were delivered to them in 2021 and are presently being used to conduct powerline patrol missions.
The cornerstone of Bell’s presence in the country is the unwavering support and belief of the customers. NAKANIHON AIR and Shin-Nihon Helicopter both made the Bell 47G-2 their first purchase in 1960. NAKANIHON AIR, appointed a Customer Service Facility (CSF) in May 1994, has purchased around 80 Bell aircraft over a period of 60 years while Shin-Nihon Helicopter, specializing in powerline patrols, became the first in Japan to purchase the Bell 407GXi in 2019.
2020 – One of two Bell 47D-1s, belonging to Japan Helicopter & Aeroplane Transports Co., Ltd. (now All Nippon Airways), being prepared for relocation to an ANA facility in Tokyo.
Historically, Bell has supplied most of the helicopters – over 1,500 aircraft – that have been used or are still in service in Japan. It all started with the first delivery of three Bell 47D-1s to Mainichi Press, Yomiuri Press and Chunichi Press in November 1952.
A few weeks later, Japan Helicopter & Aeroplane Transports Co., Ltd., the predecessor of All Nippon Airways, received two Bell 47D-1s to establish a helicopter service, which officially began operations in February 1953. Between 1952 and 1960, about 19 Bell Model 47 aircraft were delivered into Japan.
2021 – Japan’s National Police Agency takes delivery of the world’s first SUBARU BELL 412EPX, an upgrade of the renowned Bell 412 series. It is operated by the Iwate Prefectural Police for policing.
2024 – Japan General Aviation Service (JGAS) became the first in the country to purchase a Designer Series Bell 429, which elevates the cabin experience with superior leathers, enhanced upholstery and hardwood flooring.
Danny Maldonado, chief commercial officer, Bell, said “As Bell Japan commemorates the 10th anniversary of its opening, we are reminded of an outstanding legacy in the Japanese archipelago that we have carefully cultivated for 72 years. Bell Japan embodies the spirit of kaizen, innovation and growth, so this milestone is not just a reflection of our past achievements, but a testament of our commitment to collaboration and excellence – all of which continue to drive us forward in such a dynamic market.”
1952 – Founders of Japan Helicopter & Aeroplane Transports Co., Ltd., the predecessor of All Nippon Airways, with one of two Bell 47D-1s they purchased.

1953 – Their goal was to restore regular air transportation services disrupted by World War Two so Japan Helicopter & Aeroplane Transports Co., Ltd. bought two Bell 47D-1s to kickstart helicopter operations.
1955 - Aero Asahi’s genesis is closely tied to Bell as well – they launched operations in 1955, using two Bell Model 47s and became a CSF in 1994. In May 2018, Aero Asahi received their 23rd Bell rotorcraft, a Bell 412EP. Japan General Aviation Service (JGAS) was named Japan’s sole Bell 505 Authorized Maintenance Center (AMC) in 2022, performing maintenance work for both commercial and government-operated aircraft. JGAS also purchased Japan’s first Designer Series Bell 429 for corporate transport work in March 2024.
1960 – Shin-Nihon Helicopter came into business in 1960 and has utilized Bell aircraft ever since, including this Bell 47G-2 – their first helicopter.
Bell made another leap in the archipelago in 1960 – a technical assistance agreement was signed with Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd and they received an order of UH-1B utility helicopters from the Defense Agency. This was the beginning of a longstanding relationship.
1964 - Licensed production of the UH-1B commercial variant, the FUJI-BELL 204B, began in 1964. The UH-1J was developed as the successor of the UH-1B / 1H and soon after, the FUJI-BELL 205B was introduced to the market in 1995. In June 2022, SUBARU delivered the first locally manufactured UH-2 utility helicopter to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The UH-2 was produced, based on the SUBARU BELL 412EPX, which was jointly developed for military and commercial markets as an advanced variant of the Bell 412EPI.
1966 / 1967 – Bell helicopters were heavily involved in the filming of You Only Live Twice, the fifth movie in the James Bond series, which was primarily done in Japan. Shown here is the Kawasaki-Bell 47G-3, utilized as a pursuit craft in a few scenes and as a filming platform.
1995 – The FUJI-BELL 205B, an improvement of the FUJI-BELL 204B, obtained type certification from Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and was introduced to market.
2016 – Aomori Prefecture’s Firefighting and Disaster Prevention Agency was the first customer for the Bell 412EP in Japan in 1995 and 21 years on, they became the inaugural Japanese customer for the Bell 412EPI.
2017 – NAKANIHON AIR has purchased around 80 aircraft from Bell since 1960 and in 2017, at Heli-Expo 2017, they added to the tally with an order for two Bell 429s, configured for Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) work.
SUBARU, known as Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. until 2017, a brand steeped in Japanese heritage.
2018 – After four Bell 505s were delivered to the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), they became the first governmental agency globally to use the model as a basic helicopter trainer.
2019 – Shin-Nihon Helicopter became the first operator in Japan to purchase the Bell 407GXi. Two helicopters were delivered to them in 2021 and are presently being used to conduct powerline patrol missions.
The cornerstone of Bell’s presence in the country is the unwavering support and belief of the customers. NAKANIHON AIR and Shin-Nihon Helicopter both made the Bell 47G-2 their first purchase in 1960. NAKANIHON AIR, appointed a Customer Service Facility (CSF) in May 1994, has purchased around 80 Bell aircraft over a period of 60 years while Shin-Nihon Helicopter, specializing in powerline patrols, became the first in Japan to purchase the Bell 407GXi in 2019.
2020 – One of two Bell 47D-1s, belonging to Japan Helicopter & Aeroplane Transports Co., Ltd. (now All Nippon Airways), being prepared for relocation to an ANA facility in Tokyo.
Historically, Bell has supplied most of the helicopters – over 1,500 aircraft – that have been used or are still in service in Japan. It all started with the first delivery of three Bell 47D-1s to Mainichi Press, Yomiuri Press and Chunichi Press in November 1952.
A few weeks later, Japan Helicopter & Aeroplane Transports Co., Ltd., the predecessor of All Nippon Airways, received two Bell 47D-1s to establish a helicopter service, which officially began operations in February 1953. Between 1952 and 1960, about 19 Bell Model 47 aircraft were delivered into Japan.
2021 – Japan’s National Police Agency takes delivery of the world’s first SUBARU BELL 412EPX, an upgrade of the renowned Bell 412 series. It is operated by the Iwate Prefectural Police for policing.
2024 – Japan General Aviation Service (JGAS) became the first in the country to purchase a Designer Series Bell 429, which elevates the cabin experience with superior leathers, enhanced upholstery and hardwood flooring.
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