More than 60 individuals have tested positive for the novel coronavirus across three US military bases in Okinawa, raising concerns about measures undertaken by US forces to prevent infections.
Japanese officials have confirmed that between July 7 and 12, 39 people at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, 22 people in Camp Hansen, and 1 person in Camp Kinser tested positive for COVID-19. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in his daily news briefing that both countries were cooperating and sharing information about the activities and movements of the infected individuals, who are all now in isolation.
Okinawa hosts an upwards of 25,000 American troops under a bilateral security pact, and residents have long complained about the problems created by their presence, from noise pollution, to accidents, and even crime. Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki said that the spike in infections was “extremely regrettable” and criticized the soldiers for not following prevention guidelines, citing reports of personnel leaving the bases for beach parties and visits to nightlife districts around Independence Day on July 4. Okinawan officials also asked the Japanese government to pressure the US side to be more transparent, provide details (including the number of cases), seal off Futenma and Camp Hansen, and step up preventive measures to the maximum levels.
A US military spokesperson said that all non-essential off-base activities will be suspended across Okinawa, as officials work on contact tracing of infected personnel.
Other security-related developments between the two nations include the US State Department’s approval of a sale of more than 100 US F-35 fighter jets to Japan on Thursday. The deal is estimated to cost around $23 billion, and if Japan moves forward with the purchase, it would have a total of 147 F-35s—becoming the second-largest operator of the joint strike fighter after the United States.
The package also includes 63 F-35A jets, which take off from runways, and 42 F-35B jets, which require a short takeoff roll and can land vertically. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said that the proposed sale advances an important US national interest “by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region”. Negotiations will begin after Congressional approval of the deal.
Image Source: Reuters
Japan, US Discuss Surge in COVID-19 Cases at Okinawa Military Bases
More than 60 US soldiers in Okinawa have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
July 13, 2020
