TOKYO, March 8 (Reuters) - U.S. Naval Air Systems

Command has issued a flight clearance for the V-22 Osprey, three

months after the military aircraft was grounded following a

fatal crash in Japan, the U.S. Forces Japan and Japan's defence

ministry said on Friday.

The return to flight timeline for the V-22 in Japan

"continues to be closely coordinated" between the governments of

Japan and the United States, according to the joint statement.