Working Conditions Aboard the Koyo-Maru

On May 2, 2023, the maritime salvage vessel 'Koyo Maru' successfully raised debris believed to be from the Ground Self-Defense Force's UH-60JA multi-purpose helicopter, which had been lost at sea since April 6. This helicopter was carrying Lt. Gen. Yuichi Sakamoto along with several other high-ranking officials when it vanished shortly after taking off from the Miyakojima Sub Base at 3:46 p.m., shortly before disappearing from radar near Miyako Island only ten minutes into its flight. The underwater recovery operation located the wreckage approximately six kilometers north of Irabu Island, submerged at a depth of 106 meters. To secure the fragile wreckage, the salvage team wrapped it in a wire net before bringing it to the surface. The recovered materials are set to be transported to a GSDF base to facilitate an investigation into the incident's cause. Efforts to retrieve the helicopter wreck began on April 28, and the recovery was completed at around 11:45 a.m. on May 2, 2023. To date, six bodies have been recovered from the crash site, with the identities of five of the deceased confirmed. The search continues for the remaining four individuals. For further details and photos, visit the links: [Yomiuri Shimbun](https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20230502-107119/), [Nippon News](https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2023050200220/gsdf-chopper-salvaged-1-month-after-crash-off-okinawa.html).