A development of the Ki-45 'Toryu', the Ki-102 was the ultimate incarnation of the Japanese heavy fighter doctrine and itself a development of the rejected IJA single-seat heavy fighter, the Ki 96. The Ki-102 first flew in early 1944, and three main variants - a day fighter, attacker, and night fighter - were ordered into production. While the type entered service by mid 1944, it never replaced the Ki-45, partly due to the aircraft being reserved for the defence of Japan. Several Ki-102 Bs (attackers) made an appearance at Okinawa, but the majority remained in Japan. Even the day fighters saw little service, as the Japanese hoped to use them as carriers of primitive guided missiles in the event of an invasion of the mainland. Perhaps the most promising variant, the Ki-102 C night fighter, took until July 1945 to fly, and the war ended before it could complete flight trials.
In total some 200 examples were constructed.
The type scored just a handful of 'kills'.
