US fighter jet crashes off Japan coast

TOKYO, June 11 (AFP): A US F15 fighter jet crashed off the southern coast of Japan on Monday, local media reported, adding that the jet's pilot ejected and was rescued by Japanese forces.

There was no immediate confirmation of the crash from the defence ministry, which said it was gathering information on the report, or the US military.

The Kyodo news agency said the jet belonged to the US Kadena Air Base and crashed early Monday morning about 80 kilometres south of Naha, the regional capital of Japan's southern Okinawa island.

Japan's NHK television station said the rescued pilot had a broken leg.

A series of accidents involving US military aircraft have stoked tensions and in January US Defence Secretary James Mattis apologised to his Japanese counterpart over the incidents.