Japan extends COVID curfews on us military bases

Forces Japan has decided to extend COVID 19 restrictions on personnel activities outside bases by one week through the end of January, a decision that was announced by Forces Japan on Friday.

The decision was made due to the continued increase of COVID 19 cases in Japan, fueled by the rapid spread of the highly contagious omicron variant of the coronaviruses, U.S. Forces Japan said in a press release.

The measures have been implemented since Jan. 10 after a surge in the number of viruses among American military personnel in prefectures such as Okinawa and Yamaguchi.

Clusters of COVID 19 cases have been reported at U.S. military facilities in prefectures hosting U.S. military bases since last month.

Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi asked the U.S. side earlier in the month to impose curfews on American military bases in Japan because of the spike in new cases.

The movement of military personnel outside military facilities is restricted to essential activities, and wearing a mask is required even at bases.

The extension came ahead of a virtual meeting between Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden, the first formal summit between the two leaders since Kishida took office in October.

A total of 6,350 coronavirus cases were confirmed among U.S. military personnel stationed in Japan on Wednesday, of which 4,141 were confirmed in Okinawa, according to Hayashi, according to a parliamentary session.

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki has demanded that U.S. military personnel be kept out of the danger zone until the spread of the disease is brought under control.