Parts of an Osprey fuselage were recovered from the sea by the U.S. military near Yakushima island in Kagoshima Prefecture, raising concerns and leading to the suspension of Osprey flights. Following discussions between U.S. and Japanese officials, a decision is expected to be announced by the U.S. military on March 8 regarding the lifting of the flight suspension for Ospreys. Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara emphasized the importance of ensuring flight safety, stating that both Japan and the United States are collaborating closely to address the issue.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi mentioned during a news conference that the Japanese government will make a decision on whether the Ground Self-Defense Force can resume using Ospreys based on safety assurances provided by the U.S. military. The timeline for when Osprey flights will resume in Japan is still under discussion between the U.S. and Japanese governments, with safety being prioritized as a shared concern. The recovery of parts of the Osprey fuselage and ongoing discussions between officials indicate efforts to address safety concerns before allowing Osprey flights to resume.