Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara has stated that both Japanese and American V-22 Ospreys are being safely operated in Japan, with ongoing communication and collaboration with U.S. military officials about technical issues and safety assessments. Despite restrictions in the U.S., Kihara has no plans to request a flight suspension in Japan. Aircraft that have undergone maintenance and training have returned to flight service with upgraded safety checks and measures. The November crash that killed eight U.S. servicemembers resulted in a fleet grounding for four months, with Ospreys resuming flights in March but not full missions such as carrier operations.
Twenty-nine Ospreys deployed to U.S. military bases in Japan and 14 others operated by Japan’s Ground Self Defense Force have resumed flights. There are restrictions in place for Ospreys operated in Japan, but Kihara cited national security reasons for not disclosing details. The Osprey’s design allows it to fly like an airplane and land like a helicopter, but critics believe the aircraft has systematic flaws that contribute to unexpected failures. The extension of restricted flights is attributed to ongoing efforts to address a clutch failure identified as a primary factor in a fatal crash in California in 2022. Over the Osprey program’s lifespan, 64 service members have been killed in air and ground crashes, with 93 others injured.
Vice Adm. Carl Chebi, head of U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, mentioned that hundreds of U.S. military Ospreys will not be allowed to fly their full range of missions until at least 2025 to address safety concerns in the fleet. Japanese and U.S. Ospreys have been operated safely, and Kihara believes there are no safety issues. The collaboration between Japanese and U.S. military officials continues to work on technical issues related to the safety of Ospreys. Ospreys in Japan have returned to flight service with safety checks and measures in place following the November crash that resulted in the fleet being grounded for four months.
Kihara has not been informed of the content of Chebi’s remarks to U.S. Congress in advance and is asking Washington to explain details. The Osprey program has been in use since 2007, with the aircraft’s unique design facing criticism for systematic flaws leading to failures. The U.S. military is still working to fix issues such as clutch failures that have contributed to fatal crashes. Despite ongoing safety assessments and restrictions in the U.S., Ospreys in Japan have returned to flight service under upgraded safety measures and increased training for pilots.
The safe operation of Japanese and American V-22 Ospreys is a priority for Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, who is closely communicating with U.S. military officials. The collaboration between the two countries’ military forces continues to address technical issues and safety assessments of Ospreys. While restrictions remain in place for some U.S. military Ospreys, those in Japan have returned to flight service with enhanced safety protocols. With ongoing efforts to address systemic flaws and technical issues, the Osprey program remains a key aspect of the bilateral security alliance between Japan and the United States.
