Mitsubishi Ki-46 (Dinah) Type 100
Reconnaissance aircraft was one of them most outstanding aircraft of the war. It had beautiful contours and until the very end of the war, it could out perform nearly every Allied aircraft.

The Shinshitei was announced to the public in Sept 43 at the same time the Type 100 Heavy Bomber and Type 2 Fighter were unveiled. Photos appeared in Japanese newspapers at that time. That makes me suspect that this photo and story were probably not earlier than that date. All these a/c had then been in service for many months.

Hard to make a judgment on what the nose of an aircraft looks like from a rear perspective photo. Early mark III versions of the Type 100 HQ Recon a/c were in service at least by Dec 43. One was shot down over India in that month. That was probably the earliest date of ops for that type.

Production
A total of 1,742 were built.

German Interest
At one time, the German Luftwaffe contemplated manufacturing it under license.