Harry, US media report a deployment to Japan in 2017 for an F-35 squadron, presumably to replace a USMC squadron currently in place.
I do not wish to quibble about price, as I agree that it's a pretty expensive bird.
As to growing pains, IIRC CF-18 and F-18A's had problems with tail (vertical stab) cracks early on. Somehow, F-18 turned into a decent tactical aircraft.
Are you sure that your doom and gloom view isn't overly influenced by the price problem?