Abe Apologizes for GSDF Chopper Crash

February 6, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday apologized for Monday's deadly crash of a Ground Self-Defense Force attack helicopter into private housing in Saga Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

"It's most regrettable that the crash endangered the safety of residents and caused them enormous damage," Abe told a House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting. "I'd like to give my sincere apologies as SDF commander-in-chief."

In the crash of the AH-64D helicopter, two houses were burned and an 11-year-old elementary school girl, a resident of one of the burnt houses, was slightly injured. One of the two GSDF crew members has been confirmed dead and a body part was found during the search for the other member.

The prime minister pledged that the government will conduct a thorough investigation into the causes of the crash and make utmost efforts to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

At the same committee meeting, Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera explained that the crash occurred during a test flight following regular maintenance work.

"We're currently in the process of confirming detailed circumstances and causes that led to the crash," Onodera said.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference that the government will respond appropriately with regard to compensation for the victims of the helicopter crash.

Asked whether the accident will have an impact on the SDF's plan to deploy Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft at Saga Airport, Suga, Japan's top government spokesman, said, "I'll refrain from making comments with prejudgment." Jiji Press