"A P-8A joined JASDF [Japan Air Self Defense Force] aircraft and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force ships searching the area overnight," the release said. "Additional flights are continuing today. Guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) is sailing to the search area now."
READ MORE: Japanese Military Found F-35 Debris, Pilot Still Missing — Reports
Earlier on Wednesday, Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya confirmed that his country’s F-35A fighter, which went missing a day earlier, had crashed in the Pacific Ocean.
The incident took place during a training flight involving four F-35A fighters. One pilot was on board of the missing aircraft. The missing jet was reportedly the first F-35A assembled at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries facility in Nagoya.