Two U.S. F-16 fighters collided in midair Monday morning over the Sea of Japan off southwestern Hokkaido, and one of the two pilots has been rescued, the Defense Agency said.
Both pilots ejected after the 9 a.m. collision, the agency said. One was picked up by a Self-Defense Forces helicopter, while the other had yet to be rescued, the agency said.
The F-16s are believed to belong to Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture.
The Japan Coast Guard said the collision occurred over the island of Oshima in the Sea of Japan off the coast of the town of Matsumae, Hokkaido.