US military aircraft crashes with 6 on board

The Japanese Coast Guard said the Osprey aircraft crashed off the coast of Yakushima Island in southwestern Japan, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.

Earlier reports suggested that eight people were on board the aircraft, but the number was later revised down by the coast guard.

The Coast Guard said it was informed about the crash at around 2:45 p.m. (0545GMT).

Media reports said likely remains of the aircraft were found near the crash site, but there is no word yet on possible survivors.

The Coast Guard, which has dispatched patrol vessels and aircraft to search the area, said it has confirmed what appeared to be a large amount of debris from the Osprey and an empty lifeboat was also spotted in the area.

According to the Kagoshima prefectural government, there were reports that the aircraft’s left engine caught fire as it fell.

The Osprey was heading to the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture from the US military base in Iwakuni, western Japan.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida indicated that Tokyo will not immediately ask the US military to ground its Ospreys or consider doing so for Ospreys used by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force.

"It is an issue we should think about after confirming what has actually happened," he told reporters.