August 1, 2025

A U.S. CV-22 Osprey deployed at the U.S. Yokota Air Base in Tokyo that made an emergency landing at a civil airport in Akita and in Iwate in mid-July was found to be the same aircraft.

The Ministry of Defense on July 31 admitted to the fact that the two emergency landings were made by the same aircraft in response to an inquiry from Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councillors Yamazoe Taku and local assemblymembers of municipalities surrounding the U.S. Yokota AB.

The CV-22 Osprey made emergency landings at Odate-Noshiro Airport (Akita Pref.) on July 18 and at Hanamaki Airport (Iwate Pref.) on July 24.

JCP Yamazoe pointed to the disparity between the base-hosting municipalities (Fussa City, Tachikawa City, Akishima City, Hamura City, Mizuho Town, Musashimurayama City) and other local governments in the vicinity of the base in regard to the provision of information by the authorities on USFJ-related matters. A Defense official said in response that the ministry “will consider improvements” in order to eliminate the disparity.

One resident said, “The same Osprey made two emergency landings in a week. No matter how much the authorities insist Osprey aircraft are safe, I feel uneasy about their safety.” Another resident said, “Osprey aircraft regularly fly over my house. I’m worried that one of them may crash in my neighborhood someday.”

Past related article:
> US Ospreys make emergency landing twice within 7 days [July 26 & 28, 2025]