A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday when a US military V-22 Osprey aircraft crashed near Yakushima island in western Japan. Reports indicate that at least one person has died, and the fate of the other five crew members remains unknown. The Japanese coastguard discovered a crew member's body along with debris believed to belong to the aircraft around half a mile off the eastern coast of Yakushima.

Efforts to locate and rescue the remaining crew members are underway, with fishing boats in the area already recovering three individuals from the surrounding waters. However, their condition is currently unknown. The cause of the crash remains uncertain at this moment.

The Osprey is a unique hybrid aircraft that can take off and land like a helicopter but has the capability to rotate its propellers forward during flight and cruise at higher speeds like an airplane. This particular aircraft belonged to Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, according to US and Japanese officials.

Following this tragic incident, Governor Denny Tamaki of Okinawa, where half of the American troops stationed in Japan are based, has expressed his intention to request the suspension of all Osprey flights in Japan. The deployment of the Osprey has always faced controversy due to concerns about its safety, although the US military and Japanese authorities have maintained that it is a secure aircraft.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time an Osprey has been involved in a crash. In August, another US Osprey crashed off the coast of northern Australia during a routine military exercise, resulting in the deaths of three US Marines. Additionally, in December 2016, an Osprey crash-landed in the ocean near Okinawa, leading to a temporary grounding of the aircraft by the US military.

This incident comes shortly after the tragic loss of five US service members during a routine air refueling mission in the eastern Mediterranean Sea due to a "mishap." The string of accidents involving US military aircraft is deeply concerning and raises questions about the safety protocols and maintenance procedures within the armed forces.

As investigations into the Yakushima crash continue, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno, has assured the public that the government will prioritize saving lives and provide updates on the situation as more information becomes available. The families and loved ones of the crew members involved are undoubtedly anxiously awaiting news of their fate.