Two Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) helicopters collided during a training exercise near Torishima in the Izu Islands, killing at least one of the eight crew members. The crash occurred during anti-submarine exercises on Saturday night.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara confirmed the fatality and stated that an investigation into the cause of the accident is underway. He revealed that the helicopters’ flight recorders were found close together, increasing the likelihood of a mid-air collision.
Search and rescue efforts by the MSDF and the Japan Coast Guard are ongoing to locate the remaining seven missing crew members.
MSDF Chief of Staff Yoshitaka Sakai has indicated that there is no suspicion of foreign involvement in the crash. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel expressed condolences and offered assistance in the search and rescue efforts.
