A US navy fighter jet crashed into the sea off Japan's southern island of Okinawa on Monday and its two crew members were rescued alive, Japan's defence ministry said.
The fighter jet crashed some 250 kilometres (156 miles) east-southeast of Okinawa's capital city Naha at around 11:45 am (0245 GMT), said Osamu Kosakai, spokesman for the ministry's Okinawa defence bureau.
Its two crew members ejected and were rescued by a US military helicopter, he told AFP, adding the accident was "not life-threatening".
The fighter jet crashed "due to engine trouble," he said.
Japan's coastguard "dispatched an aircraft to the waters to see if there is any debris or floating oil", a coastguard spokesman told AFP.
Okinawa accounts for less than one percent of Japan's total land area, but hosts more than half of the approximately 47,000 American military personnel stationed in Japan.
For decades, Okinawa residents have asked for some of the bases to be moved, with resentment growing after a string of ac
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
9 Dead, 2,800 Hurt As Pagers Explode Across Lebanon, Hezbollah Blames Israel China, Russia Concerned About India-US Relationship: Top American Diplomat 'Pager Bombs' Target Hezbollah In Lebanon. What We Know So Far - 5 Points Liquor, Drugs Worth Rs 26.82 Crore Seized In Haryana Since Poll Code UN Says Lebanon Pager Blasts 'Extremely Concerning Escalation' Kamala Harris Calls For End To War In Gaza, No Israeli Reoccupation Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.