Japan asked the U.S. to suspend flights of Osprey aircraft until the safety of the type is ensured, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said Thursday, after an Osprey crashed into the sea off Yakushima island in Kagoshima Prefecture the day before with at least one crew member confirmed dead.
The U.S. had not issued a response over the operation of Ospreys at the time of writing.
The U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa Prefecture continued its operation of Osprey aircraft after Wednesday’s incident, causing local residents to voice their concern. Ospreys are also stationed at the U.S. military's Yokota base in Tokyo..