Japan, U.S. confirm to move Osprey training outside Okinawa

Japan and the United States on Tuesday confirmed to move the training involving controversial U.S. MV-22 Ospreys out of Japan's southernmost island prefecture of Okinawa, according to local media.

During a meeting here between Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps James Amos, the two sides confirmed to relocate the training involving the Ospreys so as to reduce Okinawa's burden on holding bulk of U. S. bases.

The deployment of the tilt-rotor combat aircraft in the key U.S. Futenma air station in the Okinawa Prefecture is in the center of conflict between local people and the central government as local residents worries about the Osprey's safety.

Meanwhile, the Japanese Defense Ministry announced Tuesday that Japan and the United States will hold two joint drills in Japan involving the Ospreys by the end of the fiscal 2014 through next March, according to local reports.