The plane is believed to be an AV8B Harrier II jet

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The aircraft, believed to be an AV8B Harrier II jet, had just taken off from SU base at Kadena on the island of Okinawa in Japan's southern region.

Shortly after taking off the military aircraft went into the sea off the east coast of the island, the Japanese Coast Guard said.

Rescue teams were immediately deployed and are thought to have rescued the crew.

The 11th Regional Coast Guard is searching for the plane, with a helicopter and patrol boat at the crash site.