Honda Aircraft Co.'s "flying sports car" is set for take-off in Japan after the firm announced Wednesday it has begun accepting orders for its private business jet, HondaJet Elite, from domestic customers.

The move represents Honda Aircraft's first foray into the domestic market, after the aviation unit of Japan's No. 3 automaker started delivering to customers in North America, Europe and other regions three years ago.

In collaboration with major trading house Marubeni Corp.'s aircraft dealer subsidiary, Marubeni Aerospace Corp., Honda Aircraft aims to deliver the first HondaJet aircraft to domestic buyers in the first half of 2019.