Feathered Friends First: A Joint U.S.-Japan Effort for Osprey Security

The defense ministers of Japan and the United States emphasized on Tuesday that the primary focus for both countries should be to prioritize the safety of Osprey military aircraft, particularly in light of the recent catastrophic accident of one of these aircraft in the waters near southern Japan.

During their initial phone conversation following the incident, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara informed reporters that he formally requested U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to refrain from resuming Osprey flights until the safety of the aircraft can be guaranteed.

An American Air Force CV-22 cargo aircraft tragically collided with the water in close proximity to Yakushima Island in Kagoshima prefecture on November 29th, resulting in the unfortunate demise of all eight individuals aboard.

Following the tragedy, Japan promptly suspended the flights of the Ground Self-Defense Force's V-22 Ospreys and strongly advised the United States to cease the operation of its tilt-rotor aircraft in Japan.