U.S. military has not required pre-departure PCR testing for servicemembers coming to bases in Japan since September, has permitted movement between Bases During Periods of Activity Restrictions

U.S. military has not required pre-departure PCR testing for servicemembers coming to bases in Japan since September, has permitted movement between Bases During Periods of Activity Restrictions


December 24, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Manato Akira and Yosuke Anri

 

On December 23, a representative of the United States Forces Japan (USFJ) revealed to the Ryukyu Shimpo that PCR testing requirements when leaving the United States were lifted in September of this year for servicemembers coming to any of the U.S. bases in Japan, including Camp Hansen. In response to the large cluster of infections at Camp Hansen, the military has changed its policy to require servicemembers to get tested within 72 hours prior to departing for Japan. According to the Okinawa Department of Public Health and Medical Care, the U.S. Naval Hospital has been permitting U.S. servicemembers who are fully vaccinated to move around, not just on their base of deployment, but between bases, even during the period of restricted movement after entering Japan.

At the request of the Okinawa Municipal Council for Military Land Conversion and Base Problems (Guntenkyo Council), Governor Denny Tamaki visited the Prime Minister’s Office on December 23. He criticized the failure to enforce PCR testing. Regarding the loosening of testing requirements before departing for Japan, he said, “It’s a complete shock. I was under the impression that they were enforcing strict testing.” He called on both the U.S. and Japanese governments to enforce testing, and to carry out genomic analysis of the virus strains at the U.S. bases in Okinawa.

 

When asked about the decision to loosen border control measures without informing the national or prefectural governments, the USFJ representative explained “We followed the guidance of the CDC, the United States Department of Defense, and the United States Indo-Pacific Command.” The representative emphasized that they require servicemembers who have not received a negative test five days after entering Japan to wear a mask.

The USFJ plans to send samples from infected servicemembers to the United States for genomic analysis to determine whether the servicemembers have the Omicron variant. At a press conference on December 23, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said that genomic analysis will be required for approximately two weeks.

 

Governor Tamaki suggested that “in order to respond more rapidly,” the USFJ could do the analysis at the U.S. Naval hospital and get results in a day. He also indicated that the prefectural government is considering supplying reagent for the genomic analysis.

In response to the news that the national government is considering offering free PCR and antigen testing, Governor Tamaki added, “We have received word that free testing will be available in Okinawa and Osaka. We will continue to work with the national government to respond to the current situation.”

 

(English translation by T&CT and Ellen Huntley)

 

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