Japan-US panel begins talks on Osprey

Japanese and US foreign and defense officials are meeting in Tokyo amid growing safety concerns over the US military's deployment of Osprey transport aircraft in Japan. The Japan-US joint committee meeting began at the Foreign Ministry on Thursday morning. A fleet of 12 tilt-rotor aircraft arrived at a US Marine Corps air station in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan on Monday. The Marines plan to conduct test flights there next month and start full operations of the aircraft in early October in Okinawa, according to Japan's (NHK World) website. A series of Osprey accidents overseas has triggered concerns in Okinawa, Yamaguchi and elsewhere in Japan in light of planned nationwide flight training. Japanese officials are seeking specific safety measures to allay local concern and want the US to supply detailed results of investigations into the past accidents. They say concrete safety procedures governing Osprey operations should be considered to try to obtain the consent of local communities. The US side has so far expressed a measure of understanding for the communities' concerns. Negotiators are expected to confirm that they will proceed with talks on specific measures.