Photo/Illutration 

The U.S. Marine Corps Camp Hansen in Kin, Okinawa Prefecture

 (Asahi Shimbun file photo)


Japan expressed its annoyance that the U.S. military did not promptly test its service personnel for COVID-19 upon departure and arrival, a situation it blames for a growing cluster outbreak at the U.S. Marine Corps Camp Hansen in Okinawa Prefecture.


Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said he voiced his concerns Dec. 22 to Ricky Rupp, the commander of U.S. Forces Japan, when they spoke by phone about the U.S. military’s failure to take thorough steps to keep the novel coronavirus at bay.


The issue has taken on heightened importance due to the spread of the Omicron variant of the virus and moves by the government to keep the public safe.


The U.S. military conducts PCR tests on its service members entering Japan within five days of their arrival, but not when they are leaving their country and immediately after arriving in Japan, according to Hayashi.


He also complained that U.S. personnel were permitted to move freely at on-base facilities even during the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine period imposed by the Japanese government on new arrivals.


Japan on Nov. 30 tightened its border control measures against the Omicron variant by barring entry to foreign tourists.


However, Japanese law does not apply to U.S. military service members under the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement.


US military not conducting COVID tests on personnel leaving US, entering Japan

 (Mainichi Japan)


The gate to Camp Hansen is seen in the town of Kin, Okinawa Prefecture, in this file photo. (Mainichi/Akihiro Kawakami)


TOKYO -- Japan's foreign minister has blamed the U.S. military for not having carried out coronavirus tests on personnel upon leaving the United States and entry into Japan.

    Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi revealed the finding on Dec. 22 to reporters at the ministry amid large-scale coronavirus group infections at U.S. Marine Corps Camp Hansen based in the Okinawa Prefecture town of Kin. The revelation apparently became clear on the night of Dec. 21 after the Japan side made an inquiry. Japan requires travelers to take coronavirus tests upon leaving their home countries and entering Japan as part of border control measures.

    Hayashi said that he had "expressed strong regret" to Ricky Rupp, the commander of U.S. Forces Japan, over the phone on Dec. 22. Rupp reportedly promised to strengthen measures such as conducting virus tests before leaving the U.S.

    When U.S. military affiliates directly enter its facility zones in Japan, the U.S. is supposed to conduct quarantine procedures as agreed by the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee based on the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. According to Hayashi, however, U.S. military in Japan had not conducted tests on travelers upon leaving the U.S. and arriving in Japan on the premise that they have been vaccinated. Instead, the military carried out PCR tests three to five days after entry. The U.S. military also apparently allowed its personnel to move freely within its facility zones even during a 14-day quarantine period after entering Japan.

    The number of infections at Camp Hansen reached 223 on Dec. 22.

    (Japanese original by Yusuke Kaite, Political News Department)