Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) resumed flights of their MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft near Tokyo on Mar. 21. This marks the reintroduction of the Osprey into Japanese skies following a nearly five-month grounding prompted by a fatal U.S. military CV-22 crash off the coast of southwestern Japan in November 2023.
The tragic accident, which claimed the lives of all eight crew members on board, led to a worldwide grounding of Ospreys by both the U.S. military and the JGSDF. However, the US lifted its own restriction on Mar. 8, and the U.S. Marine Corps began flying their Ospreys at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa Prefecture on Mar. 14th.
JGSDF officials have assured the public that their decision to resume flights was based on a thorough review of safety measures. This review incorporated information provided by the U.S. regarding the cause of the November crash. Additionally, the JGSDF has engaged in briefings with local governments located near their Osprey deployment site to address concerns and maintain transparency.
While the resumption of flights signifies a step towards normalcy, the specific safety measures implemented by the JGSDF remain undisclosed.
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