ISTANBUL 

Following the fatal crash last week, the US has grounded its entire fleet of Osprey aircraft in Japan.

Washington’s move comes after the Japanese government “repeatedly” asked the US to stop operations of the aircraft over safety concerns in the country, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported on Thursday.

At least eight people aboard the CV-22 transport aircraft died after it crashed during a routine exercise on Nov. 29, off the coast of Yakushima Island in southwestern Japan.

There are around 50,000 American soldiers deployed in Japan under a bilateral defense pact.