2015-05-09 The Japanese government has become the first foreign government to purchase the V-22.
As of early May, the Department of State has approved an FMS deal with Japan. Japan’s initial buy is for 17 Block C Ospreys, together with spare parts, associated equipment and logistics support.
“Japan is modernizing its transport fleet to better support its defense and special mission needs,” the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in its required notification to Congress.
“The proposed sale of V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft will greatly enhance the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities and support amphibious operations. This sale will promote burden sharing with our ally and interoperability with U.S. forces.”
In addition, the US government working with the Japanese government has determined where to deploy the USAF CV-22s within Japan.
According to a story in The Japan Times:
The U.S. government has decided to deploy the CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo from 2017, informed sources said Friday.
Washington has already notified the government about its plan to deploy 10 of the U.S. Air Force version of the hybrid aircraft, with three to arrive in the second half of 2017 and seven within a few years, the sources said. The plan is due to be announced soon, they said.
05/04/2015: The video above shows Gen. Nakatani, the Japanese Defense Minister, arrives outside the Pentagon and boards an MV-22 Osprey attached to Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), Arlington, Virginia, April 29, 2015.
The flight was part of several events promoting a strong working relationship between Japan and the United States Marine Corps.