March 1, 2017

The U.S. military in Japan is inviting civilian companies to bid for contracts to truck containers filled with munitions and explosives between U.S. bases and freight train stations across Japan, Akahata learned on February 28.

The U.S. Forces in Japan is moving to get Japanese commercial transport companies to deliver U.S. war materials.

The U.S. Pacific Air Forces in January made this announcement through the 374 Contracting Squadron at the U.S. Yokota Air Base in Tokyo.

According to the U.S. military, contract-winning companies will deliver not only general freight but also toxic substances and explosive materials including high explosives, gunpowder, fuses, detonators, bullets, and blanks. The contractors will also be required to offer necessary support in the event of an “emergency”.

The U.S. Forces in Japan can receive ammunition support from the Self-Defense Forces even when Japan is not under attack, thanks to the revised Self-Defense Forces Law, which is part of the war laws enacted in September 2015, and the new Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) signed by the Japanese and U.S. governments in September 2016. In addition, they are trying to incorporate private companies in munitions deliveries in Japan.

The U.S. Forces are seeking to mobilize civilian businesses on commercial basis for U.S. logistic activities in military operations in the South Asia and Asia-Pacific regions.