US CV-22 Osprey Makes Safe Landing in Japan

A U.S. military CV-22 Osprey made a precautionary emergency landing at Hanamaki Airport in Iwate Prefecture, northern Japan, on Thursday after reporting a mechanical issue mid-flight. The landing occurred safely at around 9:50 a.m., with no injuries among the crew and no impact on commercial flight operations. Japanese officials, including personnel from the Defense Ministry, were dispatched to investigate the incident. The aircraft remained at the airport as of late morning, with no immediate plans for departure. This incident follows another recent Osprey emergency landing in Akita Prefecture and comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Osprey fleet after previous accidents, including a fatal crash in southern Japan in 2023 that killed eight. The event underscores ongoing concerns over the safety of Osprey aircraft in Japan.