All Thursday dailies reported that three individuals were missing after a C-2 transport plane belonging to the USS Ronald Reagan crashed in the Pacific on Wednesday, explaining that the aircraft carrier was conducting joint training with MSDF vessels at the time of the accident. The Navy reportedly told the Defense Ministry that the cause of the mishap appeared to be an engine malfunction. Eight of the 11 on board the aircraft were rescued. Defense Minister Onodera told the press that he has asked the U.S. side to ensure safe operations of military aircraft in view of the frequent aviation mishaps of late.