Japan Press Weekly

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2020 July 8 - 14 [US FORCES]

60 new COVID-19 cases found among US military in Okinawa

More than 60 new COVID-19 cases were reportedly confirmed on July 11 at the U.S. Futenma base (Ginowan City) and Camp Hansen (Kin Town) in Okinawa.

A spate of COVID-19 infections within the U.S. military in Okinawa already occurred: one in Camp McTureous (Jul.2), six in Futenma base (Jul.7-9), and several individuals in Camp Hansen (Jul.9-10). However, what is exactly going on inside the U.S. military facilities is unknown to the people in Okinawa and therefore they feel very anxious.

Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny on July 11 held a press conference in the prefectural government office, demanding the disclosure of the number of infected personnel as well as lockdowns of the bases where coronavirus clusters were reported.

On the previous day, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution demanding that the U.S. military immediately release the exact number of U.S. military-related individuals who are infected with COVID-19 and who have close contact with those infected. The resolution also demands that both the Japanese and U.S. governments offer more specific information such as contact tracing without delay.

Okinawa's Vice Governor Janaha Kiichiro also requested William Bowers, commander of the Marine Corps Installations Pacific, to carry out PCR tests on all U.S. military personnel entering Japan; take thorough preventive measures for Japanese employees working on U.S. bases; and have its servicemen stay inside the bases.

Japanese Communist Party member of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly, Toguchi Osamu said, "The U.S. force in South Korea has made public detailed information. Why is it that the USF in Okinawa does not do the same? It should at least disclose necessary information for the sake of protecting Okinawans' lives."

Past related article:
> Shii: US military quarantine measure should be subject to domestic laws meeting anti-coronavirus measures [June 26, 2020]