Tag - us-bases

 
 

US BASES

Masanori Matsugawa, mayor of Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture
JAPAN
Jul 26, 2024
Ginowan mayor dies on official trip to Tokyo
The 70-year-old mayor was found dead in his hotel room after failing to turn up at the hotel's lobby at a prearranged time.
The police reported two sexual crime cases to the U.S. military, but the prefectural government was not aware of the incidents.
JAPAN
Jul 18, 2024
U.S. forces-linked sex crimes in Kanagawa went unreported to prefectural government
The police reported both cases to the U.S. military, but the prefectural government was not aware of the incidents.
An Air Force CV-22 Osprey at U.S. military's Yokota base in Tokyo in May. U.S. forces in Japan plan to deploy the Navy's CMV-22 Osprey at Yamaguchi Prefecture's Iwakuni base.
JAPAN
Jul 15, 2024
U.S. to deploy Navy Ospreys at Iwakuni base
The CMV-22 Ospreys will replace C-2 transport planes that are currently stationed at the base in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa speaks at a news conference on Friday over sexual assault incidents involving U.S. service members.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 14, 2024
Japan lawmakers criticize U.S. for failing to report military assault cases
Meanwhile, the Japanese government has not protested the failure or demanded improvements, saying there was no problem with the U.S. side.
The Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture. Brennon Washington, a 25-year-old U.S. Air Force serviceman based at Kadena, on Friday pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 12, 2024
U.S. serviceman in Okinawa pleads not guilty to sexual assault
Brennon Washington, who is stationed at the Kadena Air Base, said he did not kidnap or assault an underage girl in December.
Protesters rally in front of the Okinawa Prefectural Government building in Naha on Thursday following recent revelations of sexual abuse cases involving U.S. servicemen in Okinawa Prefecture.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 5, 2024
Info-sharing on U.S. soldiers' crimes to improve, Kamikawa says
The central government will also strengthen measures to prevent U.S. servicemen from committing sex crimes in Japan, the foreign minister said.
U.S. Air Force F-35A fighter jets will be deployed at Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture.
JAPAN
Jul 4, 2024
U.S. to upgrade Japan-based military aircraft
The U.S. Defense Department will spend over $10 billion to upgrade tactical military aircraft deployed in Japan over the next several years.
People protest in Tokyo on Tuesday against sexual abuse cases by U.S. servicemen stationed in Okinawa Prefecture and the fact that the central government failed to quickly inform local officials of the cases.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 3, 2024
More sexual offense cases disclosed involving U.S. servicemen in Okinawa
The three other cases occurred in February and August last year and in January this year, with all of them being dismissed.
A building in Naha housing the Naha District Public Prosecutor's Office
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 28, 2024
Another U.S. soldier charged with sexual assault in Okinawa
The U.S. soldier allegedly squeezed a woman's head causing subconjunctival hemorrhage and other injuries that required about two weeks to heal.
Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans (right), commander of the U.S. 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, speaks at the Okinawa Prefectural Government building in Naha on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 28, 2024
Okinawa lodges protest with U.S. military over sexual assault case
While Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, commander of the U.S. 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, said the incident was serious, he offered no apology.
Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki speaks to reporters on Tuesday at the prefectural government office.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 26, 2024
Foreign Ministry delayed telling Okinawa about U.S. airman's alleged sex crime
The delay in informing the prefectural government could further strain the relationship between Okinawa and Tokyo.
The Henoko coastal district in the city of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 17, 2024
Okinawa governor's camp fails to secure majority in assembly poll
The tough election result is seen forcing the Okinawa governor to face difficulties managing the prefectural administration.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore on Saturday.
JAPAN
Jun 4, 2024
Upgrade for U.S. military's command in Japan gains steam
U.S. defense chief Lloyd Austin has said that basing a four-star commander in Japan is something the Pentagon is “looking at very closely.”
Visitors view a CV-22 Osprey on display during a friendship event at the U.S. military's Yokota Air Base in Tokyo on Saturday.
JAPAN
May 19, 2024
U.S. Osprey displayed in event at Yokota base in Tokyo
In November last year, a U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey crashed off the island of Yakushima in Kagoshima Prefecture, killing all eight people on board.
USS Ronald Reagan leaves the U.S. Navy's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture on Thursday after nine years of service.
JAPAN
May 16, 2024
Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan leaves Japan
The aircraft carrier USS George Washington will arrive in Japan later this year to take over.
Philippine and U.S. Marines watch as a projectile hits a target at sea during a live-fire exercise against an imaginary "invasion" force as part of the annual joint military drills, on a strip of sand dunes in Laoag on Luzon island's northwest coast, on May 6.
ASIA PACIFIC
May 11, 2024
U.S. builds web of arms, ships and bases in the Pacific to deter China
With missiles, submarines and alliances, the Biden administration has built a presence in the region to rein in Beijing’s expansionist goals.
The U.S. military’s Kawakami Ammunition Depot in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture. High levels of PFAS have been detected in well water around the facility.
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hiroshima
Apr 15, 2024
U.S.-Japan pact hampers PFAS survey at U.S. facility in Hiroshima
The bilateral Status of Forces Agreement gives exclusive authority to the U.S. forces over the management of their facilities in Japan.
James Schoff, senior director at Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, speaks in an interview in Washington last week.
JAPAN
Apr 8, 2024
Expert cites need for stronger U.S. military command in Japan
A U.S. expert has stressed the urgent need for strengthening the functions of the U.S. military command in Japan.
A U.S. military Osprey aircraft flies over the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in the center of the city of Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, in August 2022.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 30, 2024
Japan designates U.S. bases in Okinawa as security-linked sites
The government has designated 184 sites in 28 of the country's 47 prefectures as critical to national security in the fourth round of such designations.
A U.S. Marine prepares to demonstrate the use of night vision goggles to Ground Self-Defense Force troops at the GSDF's Camp Somagahara in Gunma Prefecture in March 2017.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 25, 2024
U.S. eyes revamped military command in Japan, reports say
The allies are expected to announce the landmark agreement when Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visits the White House next month.

Longform

Traditional folk rituals like Mizudome-no-mai (dance to stop the rain) provide a sense of agency to a population that feels largely powerless in the face of the climate crisis.
As climate extremes intensify, Japan embraces ancient weather rituals