Japan's Defense Minister stated that Japanese and American V-22 Ospreys are being safely operated in Japan, with no plans for a flight suspension despite ongoing safety assessments in the U.S. The Defense Minister emphasized that Japanese and U.S. Ospreys have been operated safely, and there are no safety concerns.
Following a fatal November crash, Japanese and U.S. military officials have closely communicated regarding technical issues related to Osprey safety. Aircraft that have undergone necessary maintenance and pilot training have returned to flight service with enhanced safety measures in place.
While U.S. Vice Adm. Carl Chebi mentioned that hundreds of U.S. military Ospreys will not fly full missions until 2025 due to safety concerns, the Ospreys in Japan have resumed flights with upgraded safety checks and maintenance protocols.
The November crash led to a temporary grounding of the fleet, but Ospreys in Japan resumed flights in mid-March. The Osprey, in use since 2007, has faced criticism for design flaws, with ongoing efforts to address issues such as clutch failures.
Despite the challenges, Defense Minister Kihara expressed confidence in the safety of Osprey operations in Japan. He mentioned that restrictions on Ospreys operated in Japan are not disclosed due to national security reasons, and officials are seeking clarification from Washington regarding recent remarks.
Throughout the Osprey program's lifespan, there have been 64 service members killed in air and ground crashes, with 93 others injured. The Defense Minister's reassurance underscores the commitment to safe Osprey operations in Japan.
