U.S. And Japan Agree To Ban The U.S. Military From Leaving Its Base Grounds

FILE PHOTO: A warning sign in the fence around the area of US Base Camp Schwab in Nago, Okinawa prefecture, Japan. © Global Look Press / Richard Atrero de Guzman  

Politico/AP: U.S., Japan agree to keep troops on base to curb Covid spread 

Fumio Kishida said American soldiers will stay on base “except when absolutely necessary.” 

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Sunday that Japan and the U.S. have reached “a basic agreement” on banning the U.S. military from leaving its base grounds, amid growing worries about a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. 

Kishida said American soldiers will stay on base “except when absolutely necessary,” which presumably means for emergencies or other security reasons. Details of the deal are still being worked out, he said on Fuji TV. The overall U.S.-Japan security alliance remains unchanged.  

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 Update #1: U.S. bases in Japan to come under tighter COVID-19 controls (Reuters) 

Update #2: US troops' movement limited in Japan to prevent COVID-19 spread (The Hill)  

WNU Editor: The Japanese are blaming the presence of US troops for the recent surge in Covid cases .... Japan to bring back some COVID restrictions as U.S. troops blamed for surge in infections (CBS). More here .... Japan attempts to stem surge in Covid cases linked to US military bases (The Guardian), and here .... US Military COVID-19 Outbreak Spurs Tensions in Japan’s Okinawa (VOA).