October 9, 2024

The Japanese Communist Party Tokyo Metropolitan Assemblypersons’ Group on October 8 demanded that Governor Koike Yuriko request permission from the U.S. Forces Japan to enter the U.S. Yokota Air Base in Tokyo to conduct on-site investigations over the leakage of PFOS-contaminated water out of the base.

The U.S. military on October 3 notified the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and six municipalities near the base that it was “highly probable” that some of the 48,000 liters of water containing PFOS were leaked out of the base on August 30.

The 19-member JCP assemblypersons’ group noted that the Agreement to Supplement the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) on Environment “in the event of an actual accident that has an impact on the environment” allows Japan’s access to the site.

The group also noted that the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee in September 2015 agreed to allow Japan’s central government or concerned local governments to apply for site visits and for sample collection when an accident is reported.

The group said, “Tokyo should immediately apply for entry into the U.S. Yokota base to conduct a survey and collect samples.” An official of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government responded, “We will seek that necessary action be taken, including an on-site survey.”

Past related article:
> US military admits to leakage of PFAS at US Yokota AB [October 8, 2024]