00:00 Japan has expressed deep concern over the ongoing flights of US military V-22 Osprey
00:08 aircraft despite its explicit request for a temporary grounding.
00:13 The heightened anxiety stems from a recent battle crash, prompting Tokyo's top government
00:18 spokesperson to address the issue on Friday.
00:21 As the key ally to the United States, Japan had urgently called for the suspension of
00:26 all non-emergency V-22 Osprey flights over its territory.
00:30 The request followed a tragic incident on Wednesday, November 29 when one of these aircrafts
00:35 plunged into the sea in western Japan.
00:38 The Japanese Coast Guard reported the discovery as one of the fatality, while the search for
00:44 the remaining seven individuals aboard is still underway.
00:48 Despite the tragic incident and Japan's official request for the grounding of Osprey aircraft,
00:53 the Pentagon made a statement on Thursday, November 30, revealing that Ospreys were still
00:59 in flight and they were unaware of any official request for their grounding.
01:04 The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
01:07 In response to the Pentagon's statement, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno,
01:12 reiterated that Tokyo had in fact officially made the request for the grounding of Osprey
01:17 flights.
01:18 The situation unfolds against the backdrop of heightened tensions and a pressing need
01:23 for clarity on the ongoing investigation.
01:26 Matsuno said, "We are concerned that despite our repeated requests and in the absence of
01:31 sufficient explanation from the U.S. military, the Osprey continues to fly.
01:37 In response to the safety concerns, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF), which also operates
01:43 Ospreys, has taken a precautionary measure by announcing the suspension of flights for
01:48 these transport aircraft."
01:51 Japan's Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko took a direct approach seeking assurances from
01:56 U.S. Ambassador Ram Emanuel regarding the safety of Osprey flights before any further
02:01 operations.
02:02 Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Japan has reprinted from immediate comments on the matter.
02:08 The deployment of these hybrid aircraft in Japan has sparked controversy, especially
02:13 in the southwest islands, with critics of the U.S. military presence expressing concerns
02:18 about the aircraft's "suspectability to accidents."
02:22 The situation remains fluid as diplomatic dialogues unfold to address the pressing safety
02:27 issues surrounding Osprey flights.
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