2LT International News

TOKYO, Japan: Japan’s Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said that two Japanese navy helicopters carrying eight crew members crashed in a possible collision in the Pacific Ocean south of Tokyo during an evening training session.

One crew member died, and rescuers searched for seven others missing on April 21, he added.

Kihara told reporters that the two SH-60K “Seahawk” choppers from the Maritime Self-Defense Force were carrying four crew each and lost contact late the previous day near Torishima island, some 370 miles south of Tokyo.

The cause of the crash was still not known, but officials believe the two helicopters “highly likely” collided before crashing into the water, he further added.

Admiral Ryo Sakai, navy chief of staff, said training with the SH-60s will be suspended until the cause of the crash is determined and preventive measures are adopted.

Kihara said that rescuers recovered a flight data recorder, a blade from each helicopter, and fragments believed to be from both choppers, which indicate that the two SH-60Ks were flying near each other.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel offered assistance with the search and rescue efforts.

On social platform X, Emanuel wrote, “We will stand together, side by side, with our friend and ally, Japan. My thoughts are with the crew members and their families and friends during this challenging time.”

Kihara explained that the Seahawks were conducting nighttime anti-submarine training. One lost contact at 10:38 p.m. and sent an automatic emergency signal a minute later.

“Only one distress signal called an emergency locator transmitter, was heard, another sign that the helicopters were near the same place because their signals use the same frequency and could not be differentiated,” he said.

Defense officials said the training only involved the Japanese navy and was not part of a multinational exercise.