U.S. forces in Japan begin pre-departure virus tests of personnel

Mmmhhh... Don't come..

The people of Okinawa might consider restricting doing business with the US military until cases go down.

Why weren't they doing this for the past 2 years? Reckless behaviour by the U.S., which explains why sadly their nation is the biggest pandemic disaster.

Just shows the complete lack of respect and one way nature in the Japan / US relationship.

On Thanksgiving last month, I happened to be at American Village in Chatan, a very popular place for Japanese tourists and US Military to congregate, many restaurants and places to shop, with a AEON shopping center nearby.

I was quite surprised at the large number of military personnel walking around, in shops, AEON, and restaurants (not eating just sitting and talking) with out masks, while everyone else around them was wearing them.

To me it was an arrogant gesture by these people, almost like "we are better than you, and don't need to follow your rules or etiquette!"

The military has to do a better job educating it's people! Otherwise, keep them all on base!

send them back home...all...better be safe than sorry.

there are not needed at japanese soil anymore.

foreign boots are not welcomed here.

USA. Unwelcome. Selfish. Arrogant.

that was stupid that they werent doing it simply because people were already vaccinated.

Today’s anti-AUKUS article.. OK, then. But looks like the Americans admitted the hypocrisy and are moving forward. Still a ‘roll call’ for more of the same, tired rhetoric and perhaps some ‘new’ inductees/indoctrinated ?? 

OKay then. - Reads like perhaps someone’s a fan of the U.S. VP’s closed borders speech Jun 7, 2021?:

@TokyoLiving 7:43am: “Mmm… Don't come..” -

Has anyone watched Okinawa Afterburn? it gives good context to this story actually.

U.S. forces in Japan begin pre-departure virus tests of personnel

This is also misleading it SHOULD read,

"U.S. forces in Japan RE-START pre-departure virus tests of personnel!"

They used to do it until something like 6 months ago, if a previous article is to be believed, so they are not beginning anything new, just restarting something they should NEVER have stopped in the first place!

The military has to do a better job educating it's people! Otherwise, keep them all on base!

> This is the US military you are commenting on... you are assuming anyone there is aware of an issue and, if they are, is capable of educating.

U.S. forces begin virus testing on all personnel arriving in Japan

July 30, 2020 japantoday

They were doing testing on arrival before, this was summer of last year but they should have started pre-departure when Omicron first popped up.

Nice, Japan is having big b@lls.

SOFA, too!

Most Japanese military bases have personnel walking around all day with no masks. This has been going on since the Spring of this year. The same can be said for the SOFA people. For the Japanese personnel and non Japanese personnel, they feel almost pressured not to wear mask on base. Add the relaxed rules and some people (Japanese/NonJapanese) refusing to get vaccinated, and you have your transmissions from military bases to the public and public to the military bases.

It does not matter if you do not get sick. You can still be a middleman/woman and pass onto to someone who will eventually get really sick!

All Lives Matter! (Correct Usage!)

Japanese military bases means "US Military Bases in Japan"

Perhaps if they’re as big as you’re claiming @IronLad 2:14pm, then one would not need to use the “@”symbol?

*- @IronLad 2:14pm: “Nice, Japan is having big b@lls..” -*

Agreed, in part, @Numan 3:31pm. - Anecdotal account but JSDF members, casually dressed & apparently off-duty, are frequently seen, sans masks or social distancing, walking in large groups and carrying on in well-earned, boisterous conversations to the nearby shopping areas, pachinko parlors and soaplands.

“It does not matter if you do not get sick. You can still be a middleman/woman and pass onto to someone who will eventually get really sick!” -

It's a waste of time to do such testing when the virus is already endemic.

Hell--that story sounds suss. How do you recognize JSDF when they are off duty? What is well-earned conversation? Are there really soaplands adjacent to any JSDF or US bases what with all the women soldiers, spouses and children of career soldiers about? I will take Yubaru at his word over your hypothetical imaginings.

The people of Okinawa might consider restricting doing business with the US military until cases go down.

Cases are going down, and the matter now seems to be resolved.

Nothing “*sus*picious” or “hypothetical imaginings” about it *@TorufusuTorasan 5:08pm: *

Sep 3, 2021 “*135 personnel at west Japan Ground Self-Defense Force camp test positive for coronavirus*” -* *https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210903/p2a/00m/0na/021000c -

*-@Toru 5:08pm: “Are there really soaplands adjacent to any JSDF or US bases what with all the women soldiers, spouses and children of career soldiers about?” *

Just over the Mt. Hiei, east of Kyoto, JGSDF Camp Otsu. Out the gate, walk north along Rte 558 and there is Ogoto Soapland. - Plenty department stores, supermarkets, rail and recreational activities, both north and south.

*- @Fusu 5:08pm “How do you recognize JSDF when they are off duty? *

Walking out the gate, engaged in conversation, thanking them for what they do.

*- @Tora 5:08pm: “What is well-earned conversation?” -*

Have seen them train hard and work hard. Any ‘leave’ or passes they get off base is “well-earned”, wouldn’t you agree ?

*- @San 5:08pm: “I will take Yubaru at his word.”*

Never doubted @Yubaru’s 9:07am account, the bad behavior of some U.S. military nor his/her opinion about what should be done:

- “The military has to do a better job educating it's people! Otherwise, keep them all on base!”

These things happen from time to time with young people ‘away from home’ and taking a break from the rigors of constant military discipline:

- “The GSDF said they are all male, with 122 in their 20s, six in their 30s and seven in their 40s. Most joined the training unit at Camp Otsu from other camps in the GSDF Middle Army's jurisdiction, and have been taking various education programs since July.”

The local JGSDF Chief of Staff stated he’ll do his part in reeducating the troops and the same should be expected of those U.S. military in Japan:

- “Yoshihide Yoshida, GSDF chief of staff, said at a Sept. 2 news conference, "We sincerely apologize for troubling concerned institutions, local residents and the local governments." -

I’ll look back later for you ‘acknowledgement’ that this wasn’t hypothetical nor “anti-Japan’. - Peace.

JT is about a month behind with their “US Military does or doesn’t do this” news. Military medical facilities are open 7 days a week ensuring testing is done within 24 hours of flight out. Vaccination is mandatory, and testing ROM is still required upon return.

gotcha and ‘Thanks’ @zichi 10:29pm. Was just answering individual questions from user @5:08pm ‘doubting’ my earlier ‘personal experience with SDF members seen near Kyoto not adhering to covid measures, etc from @4:35pm. - Just review the thread if you’re interested.