US military wants to fly Osprey next week

The US military in Okinawa has told the Japanese government that it plans to fly an Osprey transport aircraft next week.

The government earlier asked the US military in Japan to suspend operations of the Osprey until its safety is confirmed. The request came after an emergency landing [A CRASH] of one of the aircraft on Tuesday off the coast of Okinawa.

Sources in Japan's government say it was notified by the US military in Okinawa on Thursday about a resumption of Osprey flights. The military said it wants to fly an Osprey as early as next Monday from an airfield on Iejima Island to its home base at the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station.

The government has said providing sufficient information and explanations will be essential to convince Okinawan local authorities of the safety of the aircraft before resuming its flights.

Some government officials are afraid that the planned flight may not be able to gain local understanding.