US F-15 fighter jet crashes in waters off Japan

An American F-15 fighter jet has crashed in waters off US-run Kadena Air Base on Okinawa Island in southern Japan due to a “technical malfunction.”

The incident occurred on Tuesday when the military plane, which flew out of Kadena Air Base, went down in the Pacific Ocean about 70 miles (110 kilometers) east of the island.

“A Kadena-based F-15 aircraft developed a problem that ultimately resulted in the pilot ejecting from the aircraft over the Pacific Ocean approximately 70 miles (110 kilometers) east of Okinawa,” the US Air Force said.

Japanese rescuers have reportedly found and saved the American pilot.

Okinawa hosts more than half of the 47,000 American service personnel in Japan.

Most of the Japanese are discontent with the presence of the US forces in Japan due to the crime, noise and risk of accidents associated with their bases.