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Local sources from Japan: 南日本新聞, nhk.or.jp.
UK coverage: Press TV.

Japan has criticized the US military for continuing to fly its V-22 Osprey aircraft despite Japan’s request to suspend non-emergency flights. This request came after an Osprey crashed into the sea in western Japan, resulting in one confirmed death and ongoing search operations for the remaining seven aboard. Japan’s Foreign Minister has directly asked the US ambassador to halt further flights until the safety of the Ospreys is confirmed. The deployment of the hybrid aircraft in Japan has been controversial, with critics citing its history of fatal crashes.

According to an article from 南日本新聞, Defense Minister Toshimitsu Kihara revealed in a press conference after the cabinet meeting on the 1st that he had received communication from the US side stating that “flights are currently not being conducted” for the CV-22 deployed within Japan. However, despite the government’s request to suspend flights after the accident, the Osprey continues to fly without sufficient explanation, which Kihara expressed concerns about, stating, “I myself have concerns.” Even after Mr. Kihara directly requested a flight suspension from the Commander of the US Forces Japan on November 30, he confirmed that the US Marine Corps MV-22 and Navy CMV-22 had taken off and landed at US military bases in Okinawa. According to the US side, the Ospreys deployed in Japan are operated after thorough and careful maintenance and safety inspections, and they will share as much detailed information as possible regarding the accident.

An article from nhk.or.jp further revealed that Defense Minister Kihara has requested that all Ospreys deployed in Japan by the United States refrain from flying until their safety is confirmed. After the cabinet meeting, he revealed that there was communication from the US side on the morning of the following day, which included the statement that the CV22 Osprey involved in the accident is currently not flying. Minister Kihara expressed concerns about the continued flights of Ospreys by the Marine Corps and others, stating, “Apart from search and rescue operations, we have been requesting flights to be conducted only after confirming flight safety.”

The safety of the Ospreys is of utmost importance, and Japan has requested that the US military suspend non-emergency flights until the safety of the Ospreys is confirmed. The US military has stated that the Ospreys deployed in Japan are operated after thorough and careful maintenance and safety inspections, and they will share as much detailed information as possible regarding the accident. Japan is awaiting further updates from the US military regarding the safety of the Ospreys.