Two Japan Self-Defense Force helicopters have crashed into the sea during an exercise, killing at least one of the eight people on board the helicopters, reported Reuters, quoted by BTA, referring to Japanese media.
SH-60 helicopters conducted anti-submarine warfare exercises near the southern coast of central Japan last night, NHK TV and Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported.
The search for the missing aircraft crew members continues.
Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru said at a news conference today that the two helicopters likely collided.
American Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said on the social network "X" that Japan can count on the United States to conduct an operation to search for the missing persons.