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Press Releases

US-Japan Joint Statement on COVID-19
July 29, 2020 — The Government of Japan (GOJ) and United States Forces Japan (USFJ) have worked closely in our joint effort to combat COVID-19. The GOJ and USFJ are seriously concerned by the global pandemic and challenges posed to the health of the Japanese community as well as the personnel of USFJ. In recognition of the challenges posed by this pandemic, Lieutenant General Schneider, Commander of USFJ, has maintained the Public Health Emergency for USFJ since April. USFJ has implemented comprehensive and rigorous health protection policies, which are consistent with measures taken by the GOJ to combat COVID-19 and to alleviate local concern. Every time there are positive cases among USFJ personnel, both sides share necessary information between the respective health authorities and notify the local governments concerned. Both sides will continue to work together to ensure that such exchange of information will be done as expeditiously as possible... MORE

U.S. Forces Japan Directs Post-ROM COVID Testing for SOFA Members
July 24, 2020 — Yokota Air Base, Tokyo – To reduce the spread of COVID-19 cases among U.S. personnel following international travel, the Commander of U.S. Forces Japan yesterday directed all Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) personnel to undergo a COVID-19 exit test prior to release from the mandatory 14-day restriction of movement (ROM). The ROM policy applies to all SOFA-status personnel including military, civilians, families, and contractors, upon arrival in Japan... MORE

Readout of Visit to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni by Defense Minister Taro Kono
June 20, 2020 — United States Forces Japan Office of Public Affairs provides the following readout from today’s visit to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni by Minister of Defense Taro Kono: U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) and U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni (MCASI) hosted Defense Minister Taro Kono today during a visit to the Yamaguchi　prefecture. USFJ Deputy Commander, Brig. Gen. James Wellons, and MCASI Commander, Col. Lance Lewis, both U.S. Marine Corps officers, met the Minister and briefed him on a number of bilateral issues. ... MORE

U.S. Forces Japan commander directs transition to HPCON Bravo
June 11, 2020 — Yokota Air Base, Tokyo – The U.S. Forces Japan Commander has directed a transition to Health Protection Condition Bravo throughout Japan effective June 12, 2020 at 1200. Installation and base... MORE

U.S. Forces Japan extends Japan-wide public health emergency
May 12, 2020 — Yokota Air Base, Tokyo – The commander of U.S. Forces Japan, Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider, extended the public health emergency (PHE) today for all of Japan. This order extends the previous Japan-wide PHE... MORE

Japanese officials work with U.S. Marines at MCAS Futenma
April 24, 2020 — Engineers with the U.S. Marine Corps conducted soil scraping operations at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma on April 24, to remove probable contaminants next to an underground storage tank after firefighting foam spilled on April 10. The scraping is designed to be deep enough to achieve a high degree of certainty that all possible contaminants from the spill are recovered. The spill happened when an aircraft hangar fire suppression system accidentally triggered, releasing a mixture of approximately 1,200 gallons of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) and 40,000 gallons of water. This was followed by an additional 20,000 gallons of water. About 22,000 gallons of the mixture was captured on base through U.S. Marine Corps containment systems and response efforts, while the rest escaped the base. An investigation into the cause of this incident is ongoing... MORE

U.S. Forces Japan declares Japan-wide public health emergency
April 15, 2020 — Yokota Air Base, Tokyo – The commander of U.S. Forces Japan declared a public health emergency for all of Japan, Apr. 15, 2020. This order expanded the previous declaration, which included only the Kanto Plain region. ... MORE

U.S. Forces Japan declares public health emergency for the Kanto Plains region
April 6, 2020 — The U.S. Forces Japan commander announced a Public Health Emergency for the Kanto Plains region, Apr. 6, 2020... MORE

U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) SOFA Member Confirmed with COVID-19
March 26, 2020 — An active duty member assigned to Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) has tested positive for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)... MORE

Update, February 26, 2020: U.S. Forces, Japan Elevates Health Protection Condition and Restricts Non-Essential Travel to the Republic of Korea
February 25, 2020 — U.S. Forces, Japan Elevates Health Protection Condition and Restricts Non-Essential Travel to the Republic of KoreaFebruary 26, 2020Yokota Air Base, Tokyo – The Commander of U.S. Forces, Japan today... MORE

U.S. Forces Japan Implements Novel Coronavirus Quarantine
February 4, 2020 — Yokota Air Base, Tokyo, Japan – Following the U.S. Health and Human Services’ announcement of a U.S. public health emergency related to the novel coronavirus outbreak, U.S. Forces Japan has instituted a 14-day quarantine for people under its jurisdiction returning from the People’s Republic of China to Japan, effective immediately... MORE

Newly Appointed Defense Minister Taro Kono Visits U.S. Facilities in Okinawa
September 30, 2019 — United States Forces Japan Office of Public Affairs provides the following readout from today’s visit to U.S. facilities in Okinawa by newly appointed Defense Minister Taro Kono: U.S. Forces Japan... MORE

Readout of Visit to U.S. facilities in Okinawa by Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya
September 5, 2019 — United States Forces Japan Office of Public Affairs provides the following readout from today’s visit to U.S. facilities in Okinawa by Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya: U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) and the... MORE

Readout of Visit to Yokota Air Base by Representatives Suematsu and Ohkawara
August 28, 2019 — United States Forces Japan Office of Public Affairs provides the following readout from today’s visit to Yokota Air Base by Representative Yoshinori Suematsu and Representative Masako Ohkawara: U.S... MORE

U.S. Forces Japan, GOJ Enhance Accident Guidelines
July 25, 2019 — The United States and Government of Japan came to an agreement today to enhance current guidelines when responding to U.S. military aircraft accidents in Japan... MORE

USFJ hosts Japanese Defense Minister Iwaya
June 19, 2019 — YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan – Japan Minister of Defense, Takeshi Iwaya, visited the headquarters of U.S. Forces Japan today and met with the USFJ commander, Lt. Gen Kevin B. Schneider. The two leaders... MORE

U.S. Forces Japan, Ministry of Defense Hold Second Aviation Subject Matter Expert Exchange
February 28, 2019 — YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Forces Japan personnel met with representatives of the Ministry of Defense and Japan Self Defense Forces at Ichigaya for a second aviation subject matter expert exchange... MORE

Lt. Gen. Schneider takes command of U.S. military in Japan
February 5, 2019 — YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan - U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider assumed command of United States Forces Japan and 5th Air Force from Lt. Gen. Jerry Martinez before a crowd of U.S. and Japanese... MORE

Marine Corps identifies names of deceased Marines in F/A-18 and KC-130 mishap
December 12, 2018 — MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan – The five U.S. Marines declared deceased after being involved in a 6 December F/A-18 and KC-130 mishap off the coast of Kochi, Japan have been... MORE

U.S. Forces Japan ends Search and Rescue Operations for missing Marines
December 10, 2018 — YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Forces Japan ended its search and rescue effort today for five Marines involved in the Dec. 6 accident between a KC-130 and an F/A-18. “It is with a heavy heart that we... MORE

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