TOKYO, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese government helicopter has gone missing in Gunma Prefecture, local authorities said Friday.

According to the authorities, the chopper was one of Gunma prefecture's disaster prevention helicopters and lost contact with air traffic controllers.

The missing helicopter took off at 9:15 a.m. local time and was scheduled to return to its heliport in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, at 10:45 a.m. local time, prefectural officials said.

The chopper was observing a hiking trail, which spans Gunma and Nagano prefectures when contact was lost, officials said.