A Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-2 fighter jet crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ibaraki Prefecture during a training mission on 7 August.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Defense, the aircraft went down approximately 150 kilometers northeast of Hyakuri Air Base.
The pilot, a male first lieutenant in his 30s, successfully ejected and was rescued by helicopter. He remained conscious and was transported to a hospital. Officials said his injuries were not life-threatening.
The incident occurred during a routine training exercise involving coordination with rescue aircraft. The F-2 had departed from Hyakuri Air Base prior to the crash. No contact occurred with other aircraft, and no damage was reported to ships in the surrounding area.
Japan’s Chief of Air Staff, General Hiroaki Morita, addressed the media shortly after the event. “We sincerely apologize for the concern this has caused the public,” he said. Morita emphasized that safety remains the top priority and stated that a full inspection of all aircraft is now underway.
The JASDF has suspended all non-essential F-2 flights pending the outcome of the investigation. An accident investigation committee has been established within the Air Staff Office, and recovery efforts for the downed aircraft are currently being coordinated.
This is the second JASDF crash in recent months. In May, a T-4 trainer aircraft crashed in Aichi Prefecture, resulting in the deaths of both crew members. While the causes of the two incidents remain separate, the recent crash has heightened concerns over aircraft safety within Japan’s defense establishment.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure flight safety,” Morita told reporters. “I have instructed all units to carry out thorough inspections of their aircraft.”
The F-2 is a multi-role fighter developed jointly by Japan and the United States, based on the F-16 platform. It has been in service with the JASDF since 2000 and is deployed at several air bases, including Hyakuri in Ibaraki and Tsuiki in Fukuoka. Designed for both air-to-air and anti-ship operations, the JASDF currently fields 91 F-2 fighters, including the aircraft involved in the crash.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has not yet released further technical details regarding the cause of the malfunction. However, officials confirmed that the pilot issued a distress signal before ejecting, allowing a timely rescue operation.