Six dead in Japan military jet crash

All six crew members of a military plane that was missing in southern Japan have been confirmed dead after authorities found the wreckage on Kyushu island, Kyodo News reports, citing a Defence Ministry official.

Hundreds of troops and local police were deployed in the search earlier on Thursday despite fog, wind and heavy rain in a mountainous area in Kagoshima prefecture.

The 15-metre twin-engine jet disappeared from radar at around 2.30pm local time on Wednesday about 10 kilometres north of the Kanoya military air base, officials said.

The aircraft was flying at an altitude of 880 metres when it went missing, Defence Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters late on Wednesday.

There was thick cloud above the air base around 2pm on Wednesday, Kyodo reported, citing Meteorological Agency officials.