In male-dominated Japan, many careers have traditionally been closed off to women. One field where this is particularly noticeable is in the military, where women make up just 6.1% of all Japanese troops. No women were allowed to join the air force in any capacity until 1993, and it was only three years ago that Japan lifted its ban on female fighter pilots.

Now, 26-year-old Misa Matsushima has become the first ever woman to fly a fighter jet in Japanese history.

At a press conference on Thursday, first lieutenant Matsushima told reporters that her dreams of being a fighter pilot had been sparked by watching a classic Tom Cruise film as a child.

“Ever since I saw the movie Top Gun when I was in primary school, I have always admired fighter jet pilots,” she said, according to CNN.

Matsushima joined the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) after she graduated from the National Defence Academy in 2014. She has now finished her training, and was officially named a fighter pilot in a ceremony in Miyazaki Prefecture on Friday (24 August).

This 26-year-old just became Japan’s first ever female fighter pilot