According to the AP report, the MSDF initiated rescue efforts immediately, deploying eight warships and five aircraft to look for the missing crew members. Rescuers found flight data recorders, helicopter blades, and parts from both helicopters near the accident scene, indicating that the helicopters were flying close together before the tragedy.

The SH-60K helicopters, modified and produced in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, were conducting nighttime anti-submarine training when the incident happened. Only one distress call was heard, indicating that the two helicopters were close together because their signals could not be distinguished, the report added. 

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The report further stated that Japan, under its 2022 security strategy, has been strengthening its military capabilities in the southwestern Japanese islands to counter threats from China's assertive military activities. Saturday's training exercise was solely conducted by the Japanese navy and was not part of a multinational exercise, according to defence officials.

This incident comes a year after a Ground Self-Defence Force UH-60 Blackhawk crashed off the southwestern Japanese island of Miyako, resulting in the death of all 10 crew members. Additionally, in January 2022, an Air Self-Defence F-15 fighter jet crashed off the northcentral coast of Japan, killing two crew members, the report added. 

While no weather advisories were issued in the area at the time of the crash, investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing, the AP report further stated.