TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force will gradually resume operations of its 17 U.S.-made V-22 Ospreys, the Defense Ministry said Saturday, after they were suspended earlier this month due to security concerns.

The suspension of flights came after U.S. forces grounded their Ospreys -- a tilt-rotor military transport and cargo aircraft -- following a recent precautionary landing. This followed a fatal crash in late 2023 in Japan that killed all eight U.S. personnel aboard.

The Japanese ministry said it had received an explanation from the United States regarding the strengthening of safety measures for the aircraft.