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"CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — The Japanese government said Wednesday it believes the Marine Corps’ Osprey aircraft is safe despite deep public concern and will consent to a controversial deployment of the airplane-helicopter hybrids to Okinawa next month, with some conditions.
The Marine Corps must abide by low-altitude restrictions and limit conversion of the MV-22 from helicopter to airplane mode to airspace over military bases, according to a joint announcement by the foreign and defense ministries in Tokyo.
The decision came after months of U.S. and Japanese investigations into two recent Osprey crashes that killed or injured crew members and threatened the deployment plans.
The incidents in Morocco and Florida, as well as the Osprey’s rocky development history, have fueled widespread opposition and public protests on Okinawa, where residents doubt the aircraft is safe enough to fly in Japan.
A ministry of defense spokeswoman said a U.S.-Japan joint committee reached an agreement Wednesday morning that the safety of the Osprey has been confirmed and the two allies agreed on some operational restrictions to avoid dangers to the public.
The safety measures will limit low-altitude flight to 500 feet, keep mode conversions over U.S. bases, minimize night flights, and steer flights away from urban areas and historic sites, the ministry said."
"CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — The Japanese government said Wednesday it believes the Marine Corps’ Osprey aircraft is safe despite deep public concern and will consent to a controversial deployment of the airplane-helicopter hybrids to Okinawa next month, with some conditions.
The Marine Corps must abide by low-altitude restrictions and limit conversion of the MV-22 from helicopter to airplane mode to airspace over military bases, according to a joint announcement by the foreign and defense ministries in Tokyo.
The decision came after months of U.S. and Japanese investigations into two recent Osprey crashes that killed or injured crew members and threatened the deployment plans.
The incidents in Morocco and Florida, as well as the Osprey’s rocky development history, have fueled widespread opposition and public protests on Okinawa, where residents doubt the aircraft is safe enough to fly in Japan.
A ministry of defense spokeswoman said a U.S.-Japan joint committee reached an agreement Wednesday morning that the safety of the Osprey has been confirmed and the two allies agreed on some operational restrictions to avoid dangers to the public.
The safety measures will limit low-altitude flight to 500 feet, keep mode conversions over U.S. bases, minimize night flights, and steer flights away from urban areas and historic sites, the ministry said."