2 Bodies Identified 2 Weeks after Chopper Crash in Japan
11:52 JST, April 21, 2023
TOKYO, April 20 (Jiji Press) — Two bodies recovered after a Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter crashed two weeks ago into waters off an island in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa have been identified, the GSDF said Thursday.
The bodies were identified as those of Toru Niwata, a 48-year-old colonel who belonged to the headquarters of the GSDF 8th Division, and Hiroki Koso, a 34-year-old major, who was also a member of the headquarters.
They were recovered Sunday by deep-sea divers of the Maritime SDF from near what appeared to be the crashed GSDF chopper, which disappeared from radar near the prefecture’s Miyako Island on April 6.
Their identities were confirmed by their families and DNA analysis.
The GSDF is also working to identify three more bodies recovered from the site. A total of 10 people were aboard the UH-60JA helicopter, including Lt. Gen. Yuichi Sakamoto, who headed the 8th Division.
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japan Ministry Concerned Over Same-Sex Couple Receiving City-Issued Resident Certificates Referring to ‘Common-Law Husband’
-
Japan Govt Predicts China’s Forces Could Land on Taiwan Within 1 Week of Enforcing Blockade; Drills Conducted in 2023 Analyzed
-
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike Wins Third Straight Term; Voters Respond to Achievements in Child Care, Education
-
Incumbent Tokyo Governor Leads as Election Day Approaches; 20% of Survey Respondents Still Undecided
-
Japan, U.S. to Compile Joint Document on Extended Deterrence; Foreign, Defense Ministers to Hold Talks
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Prices of over 10,000 Food and Beverage Items to Rise This Year; Figure is down from over 30,000 Last Year
- Sony Group to End Production of Blu-ray Discs; Market Has Shrunk Due To Growth Of Hard Disk Drives, Streaming
- Japan Ministry Concerned Over Same-Sex Couple Receiving City-Issued Resident Certificates Referring to ‘Common-Law Husband’
- Japan Court OKs Sex Change without Surgery
- Pacific Islands Leaders Not Totally in Tune on China Approach as Meeting Ends in Tokyo; Positions Differ on Treated Water, Joint Drills