Japan to End Search Operation for Missing Malaysian Jet

Japan will end its participation in the search operation for the missing Malaysia Airlines jet which disappeared on 7 March while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

So far, Tokyo has provided four military planes for the operation, two C-130 transport planes and two P-3C surveillance planes.

Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera is currently in Australia and has met with Japan's Air Force officers that participated in the search and rescue operation, Monday, Itar-Tass reports.

The 54,920 sq km area which is some 1,670 km to the west off the Australian city of Perth will be searched by 9 planes and 12 ships. This will be the last operation for the Japanese Air Force planes, Minister Onodera said, Itar-Tass informs.

The Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared on route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur, with 239 people on board. The search operation has involved 26 countries.