Mission
United States Forces, Japan (USFJ) serves to strengthen the US – Japan Alliance to help deter and, if necessary, defeat threats against Japan.
Location and Personnel
USFJ is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, located approximately 28 miles northwest of Tokyo. Established at Fuchu Air Station on July 1, 1957, USFJ includes approximately 60,000 military personnel across the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force elements. Also included at USFJ are approximately 35,000 dependents, 7,000 Department of Defense civilian and contractor employees, and 25,000 Japanese workers. U.S. forces are stationed in Japan pursuant to the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security of 1960. USFJ HQ oversees unilateral and bilateral defense issues and focuses on advancing the US – Japan Alliance through bilateral operations, the USFJ Joint Force Headquarters transformation plan, optimizing force posture, and planning, preparing, and rehearsing crisis and contingency operations.
Significant Historical Events
On January 19, 1960, Christian A. Herter and Nobusuke Kishi signed the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. This treaty, with its related diplomatic notes and implementation arrangements, authorized the U.S. military presence in Japan. Of singular importance to USFJ was the signing of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) on that same day. The U.S.-Japan Joint Committee established under the prior administrative agreement was continued as the means for inter-governmental consultations on general matters regarding the implementation of the SOFA and U.S. facilities.
Transformation into a Joint Force Headquarters
USFJ is transforming into a Joint Force Headquarters, aiming to strengthen the alliance and enhance integrated operational capabilities. This transformation will enable more effective coordination and synchronization of actions in support of the U.S.-Japan Alliance, ensuring readiness and resilience in the face of increasing regional challenges. To learn more about the ongoing transformation, please visit the link below:
Advancing the Alliance: USFJ, JSDF transform future of Indo-Pacific Security > U.S. Forces Japan > Article View
U.S. - Japan Alliance
The U.S.-Japan alliance posture is essential in the Pacific. In the mutual security treaty, the United States and Japan acknowledge that they have a common stake in the security and peaceful progress of the Far East region. USFJ has made a positive contribution to the peace and security of the Far East and to the preservation of world peace.
Service Components
To learn more about the service components stationed in Japan, please click the respective links below:
UNITED STATES ARMY JAPAN & I CORPS (FORWARD)
U.S. MARINE FORCES, JAPAN (MARFORJ)
III MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
MARINE CORPS INSTALLATIONS COMMAND - PACIFIC
COMMANDER, NAVAL FORCES JAPAN
COMMANDER, U.S. 7TH FLEET
5TH AIR FORCE
U.S. SPACE FORCES - JAPAN