Aircraft
MU-300: Japan’s Sparkling Gem
The Diamond evolved into the Beechjet
Mitsubishi Diamond (MU-300) production line
The Mitsubishi Diamond program was born in 1977 and certification took place in 1981. © AIN arichives

Mitsubishi was Japan’s best-known builder of aircraft before and during World War II. In the immediate aftermath of the conflict, the country’s vast industrial empires were broken up and their historical names were forbidden from use. The vast Mitsubishi enterprise was separated into three entities.

With the official ending of the Occupation in April 1952, the companies resumed using their historic names, and the element that had included the former aircraft production became Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). From 1964, the three elements merged back together under the MHI banner.