Japanese defense minister calls on US military to take virus tests prior to arrival

Xinhua
Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono said on Friday that he has called on the US to conduct coronavirus testing on all US military personnel coming to Japan.
Xinhua

Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono said on Friday that he has called on the United States to conduct coronavirus testing on all US military personnel coming to Japan after outbreaks of the virus have hit US bases in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa.

Kono told a press briefing on the matter that the defense ministry has requested that US military personnel bound for Japan take one test prior to leaving the United States and one upon arrival in Japan.

"With so many asymptomatic people, PCR testing is a must," Kono said, adding that tests needed to be carried out, without exception, on military personnel before leaving the United States and coming to Japan.

Kono said the US side has said it is considering the request.

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki has also asked the US side to clarify whether or not they are taking the necessary virus prevention measures while based in Okinawa, including two-week quarantine measures where necessary.

Tamaki has also called for the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement to be reviewed as US military personnel are exempt from Japan's quarantine rules and travel bans.

On Thursday, the US Marine Corps Camp Hansen in Okinawa reported 58 new coronavirus cases, the Okinawa prefectural government said, while 73 cases have been linked to US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, an additional five were confirmed at Kadena Air Base, and one each at Camp McTureous and Camp Kinser, officials said.

The total number of COVID-19 cases at US military bases in Okinawa stood at 138 on Thursday, the prefectural government said, adding that amid fears of the virus spreading to the local population, an elderly taxi driver had tested positive for COVID-19.

The driver, in his 80s, was known to have had contact with US military personnel, officials said.

Tamaki, earlier in the week, met with Japanese and US government officials in Tokyo to relay his concerns over the US military-linked virus outbreaks on the island.

Tamaki has urged the central government to suspend US military transfers to Okinawa as soon as possible. Prior to the suspensions, he has urged that all US military personnel coming to Japan undergo PCR tests.

Okinawa hosts the bulk of US military facilities in Japan, and Kono, meanwhile, has said that without enhancing testing measures, US military personnel in Okinawa infected with the virus but asymptomatic could pass on the virus unknowingly.

As well as risking infecting the local community in Okinawa, Kono said it is also important for the US to protect its own personnel from the virus spreading further on US bases in Okinawa.


Special Reports

Top