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Japan has temporarily grounded its Osprey aircraft fleet following a US Air Force Osprey crash during a training mission off the country’s southern coast.

At a parliamentary hearing, Taro Yamato, a senior Defense Ministry official, announced the suspension of Osprey flights in Japan. This decision led to the cancellation of a scheduled training flight at Metabaru army camp and affected all 14 Ospreys stationed at the Ground Self-Defense Force bases. In addition, Japan has requested the US military to ground its Osprey operations in the country, excluding those participating in search and rescue efforts. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno emphasized the need for safety confirmation before resuming flights.

The crash on Wednesday resulted in at least one fatality among the eight crew members, with the remaining crew’s status unknown. The Coast Guard and Japanese troops conducted overnight search operations, utilizing sonar to locate the sunken aircraft.

Denny Tamaki, Governor of Okinawa, where a significant number of US troops are based, expressed his intent to request the US military to suspend all Osprey flights in Japan. The crash’s cause remains under investigation, with witness reports of the aircraft inverting and catching fire before plummeting into the sea.

The Japanese Defense Ministry, in collaboration with US authorities, is investigating the incident. The US Air Force Special Operations Command identified the crashed CV-22B Osprey as belonging to the Yokota Air Base’s 353rd Special Operations Wing. The Osprey, known for its ability to take off and land like a helicopter and cruise like an airplane, has faced several crashes in the past, raising safety concerns.