kawasaki's design team was headed by the aeronautics engineer kohki isozaki, as well as working in close conjunction with planners at the japanese defense agency. the design produced by kawasaki had to satisfy aspects of the jasdf's training regime that was previously performed by multiple aircraft. as such, the type had to demonstrate a range of transonic aerodynamic effects, as well as achieving a high level of manoeuvrability, a relatively-low operating cost, and high reliability levels. easy handling was also required so that trainees could convert from the piston-engined fuji t-3 after accumulating only 70 flying hours. furthermore, the economics for operating the type was to be comparable to the leading international competitors at that time.