Designed by Dr. Hisanojo Ozawa as a replacement for the Ki-21 and Ki-49 for expected use against the Soviet Union, the Mitsubishi Ki-67 Hiryu (Flying Dragon) was Japan's best bomber of the war by far. Like most Japanese bombers, the highly maneuverable Ki-67 (which could perform loops and out-turn many fighters) featured a good combination of speed, range, and bomb load but unlike most others it was also well protected with self-sealing fuel tanks and armor, something that gave it much greater survivability than its predecessors. Unfortunately, by the time it entered production in 1944 Japan's industry was being hard hit by B-29 raids and the blockade. As a result, only a few of these capable bombers were ever produced serving mostly over the Marianas, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, and with many ending up as potential suicide bombers in the event of an impending invasion of the homeland.

With development commencing in 1940, the prototype Ki-67 first flew on 27 December 1942. Production difficulties delayed introduction until October 1944 of the only major production variant, the Ki-67-I which saw action for the first time around Formosa. A a suicide version capable of carrying 2900 kg of bombs was designated Ki-67-I-KAI in addition to the Ki-67-II with the powerful Ha-214 engine which only flew in prototype form. A pair of heavy variant models were also designed, the first was the Ki-69 which was developed in parallel with the bomber versions but eventually shelved, the second was the Ki-109 with heavy nose armament and Ha-211 engines which allowed it to intercept B-29s at their operating altitude. Less than a dozen were built.