From a collection of photos from Japan from WW2
A group of aircrew wearing flight suits sending off a pilot who is saluting from the cockpit of what I think is a Kawasaki Ki-45.
The Kawasaki Ki-45 was a twin engine long range fighter that entered service in 1941, it was was found that outclassed by the allied fighter and was relegated to ground attack and home islands defense were it had limited success against unescorted bombers.
When the home island came within range of the allied fighters the remaining aircraft were relegated to the kamikaze role