A US fighter jet crashed off Japan's southern prefecture of Okinawa on Monday, according to a statement issued by US Seventh Fleet. 

The two pilots ejected safely and were rescued by a US military helicopter, the statement said. 

The Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 F/A-18 crashed in waters around 290 kilometers away from Okinawa around 11:45 a.m. local time. 

The fighter experienced mechanical issues while conducting its routine operations.