Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara has affirmed the safe operation of both Japanese and American V-22 Ospreys in Japan, despite ongoing safety concerns in the U.S. following a fatal crash last November. The Ospreys in Japan returned to flight in March, but have not resumed full missions such as carrier operations.
Kihara stated that Japanese and U.S. military officials have been closely communicating about technical issues and safety assessments of the Ospreys. He emphasized that the aircraft have been operated safely with upgraded safety checks, maintenance, and emergency measures in place.
The U.S. military has imposed restrictions on hundreds of Ospreys, with Vice Adm. Carl Chebi stating that they will not be permitted to fly their full range of missions until at least 2025. This decision comes as the Pentagon addresses safety concerns within the fleet.
The Osprey, which has been in use since 2007, has faced criticism for its innovative design and alleged systematic flaws. The extension of restricted flight is partly due to ongoing efforts to fix a clutch failure that was identified as a primary factor in a fatal crash in California in 2022.
Despite these challenges, Kihara has no plans to request a flight suspension in Japan and believes that the Ospreys are being safely operated. The defense minister noted that both Japanese and American Ospreys have resumed flights in Japan under the bilateral security alliance, with additional safety measures in place.
As the U.S. military continues to assess the safety and performance of the Ospreys, Kihara remains committed to ongoing communication and collaboration with U.S. officials to ensure the safe operation of the aircraft in Japan.
