Japan has called on the US military for help in tackling a cluster Covid infections at a Marine Corps base near Okinawa. The country’s foreign minister said American testing rules were inconsistent with the rules in Japan.
“We have asked the US side to thoroughly implement the maximum measures to prevent the spread of infections,”On Thursday, Hirokazu Matsuno, Chief Cabinet Secretary, stated.
According to Japanese authorities, 227 individuals stationed at Camp Hansen (a US Marine Corps Base in Okinawa Prefecture) tested positive for Covid.
Matsuno claims that US troops tested their troops on the fifth day following arrival to Japan. They had received vaccinations and could not move until restrictions are lifted. Japanese regulations require all travelers to be tested 72 hours prior to departure.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, Foreign Minister, stated Wednesday that he has voiced concerns about the situation. “strong regret”Ricky Rupp was the commander for US Forces Japan.
Japanese media reported Hayashi saying that US troops were testing their soldiers within three to five working days of arriving. This allowed the soldiers to freely move inside bases rather than quarantining them.
“These rules are not consistent with the Japanese rules,” Hayashi said.
The Japan Times reported that a government source said the government was “still checking”The testing took place at every US military site in the country. Stars and Stripes magazine reports that US Forces Japan tightened Covid restrictions Monday and extended quarantine periods.
Washington maintains military bases at Japan’s end since World War II.
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