Mainichi wrote that the governments of the U.S. and Japan decided that Futenma-based Ospreys will not initially participate in the U.S.-Japan exercise to be held in Hokkaido starting from Aug. 10, but may join the exercise later if the U.S. submits a new report to Japan on the Osprey accident in waters off Australia. The joint exercise is scheduled to end on Aug. 28.

Meanwhile, Asahi wrote that it has learned from several GOJ sources that the U.S. military plans to forgo having Ospreys fly to Hokkaido for the opening ceremony to be held today for the U.S.-Japan joint military exercise. However, the paper said the U.S. military has not changed its plan to have the aircraft participate in the exercise. Hokkaido Vice Governor Kubota delivered to the Ministry of Defense on Wednesday a letter for Defense Minister Onodera requesting the GOJ urge the U.S. to suspend Osprey flights in Hokkaido.