This aircraft's previous serial was 77-8392 and is one of 17 F-4EJ Phantom II the JASDF had modified to the RF-4EJ Kai reconnaissance version in the 1990's. It lacks the typical recce nose (accomodating internal cameras) of regular RF-4's and was therefore only able to carry external recce pods, which became the standard of the day anyway at that time. With the change of it's role, the aircraft's serial became 77-6392.

Designation is (R)F-4EJ. Note brackets either side of the R, as it was built as an F-4EJ then converted to recce' configuration. Designation differentiates it from aircraft built as RF-4EJ.