Crash of Two Japanese Self-Defense Force Helicopters

Japanese media reported that two helicopters belonging to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force crashed into the sea during training, resulting in the death of at least one crew member from the eight onboard. The National Broadcasting Corporation and Kyodo News stated that two SH-60 helicopters were conducting anti-submarine training on Saturday evening near Torishima in the Izu Islands off the southern coast of central Japan. According to reports, the search for the missing crew members is ongoing, and the black boxes from both helicopters have been recovered. Reports indicated that Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara stated in a press conference on Sunday that a collision between the two helicopters is likely. In a post on X, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Ram Emanuel offered his country's assistance in the search and rescue efforts.