The Air Self-Defense Force said on Monday it had found the bodies of two pilots aboard an ASDF F-15 fighter jet that crashed off the coast of Japan late last month.
One was found on Friday and the other on Sunday, the ASDF said, without disclosing which date the pilot was found, to avoid disrupting the crash investigation.
The ASDF said the bodies were found by Marine Self-Defense Force divers and transported to ASDF Komatsu Airport in Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture.
The incident happened around 5.30pm. on Jan. 31. An F-15 fighter from the air force tactical fighter training team disappeared off the radar about 5 miles northwest of the base, about one minute after taking off during a night workout.
Two pilots – Col. Koji Tanaka, 52, and Captain Ryusei Ueta, 33 – were boarding a plane.
To date, other components of the aircraft have been identified, including the engine exhaust system, gasoline tubes and a vertical tail that has the aircraft number.