Kono asks that U.S. military personnel coming to Japan test for virus

wait, they didn’t test them before entering? I thought everyone get tested.

They should expand that request to entertainment districts in big cities.

Yarai, I am pretty sure you mean China not US.

The tests are unreliable. Quarantine them unless there is some emergency situation where they can’t be replaced

> The U.S. forces responded that they are considering carrying out the tests, Kono said. Currently, polymerase chain reaction tests are only being conducted on those who exhibit symptoms.

Japan is not in control of its own borders...

> SPRINGToday  

wait, they didn’t test them before entering? I thought everyone get tested.

> KORE NANI

Their coming in through Narita and Haneda So it's Japan doing the testing. Go figure

This article explains things badly. If they enter via a Japanese airport like Narita, then yes they are all tested.

But any US military personel who enter Japan via a US airbase in Japan (not a standard Japanese airport) or a US sea base (so if coming off a ship) are only subject to testing if the exhibit symptoms. Those ports of entry are under US control, so the US manages the testing guidelines.

Conduct testing at origin, then conduct mandatory quarantine at destination and testing again before final release from quarantine. Follow up status check 10 days after release. Inbound at HND or NRT go directly to Yokota via military bus for quarantine. Inbound at KIX destined for OKA is housed in isolated quarantine hotel on the airport island.

The US had 75,000 plus cases a day. Florida alone more than the EU which has 20 times the population. Stop spreading virus!

"With so many asymptomatic people, PCR testing is a must," Kono said in a press conference, adding he had also called for tests to be carried out, without exception, on personnel before they leave the United States for Japan.

And for the rest of Japan

"With so many asymptomatic people, PCR testing is a must," Kono said in a press conference

Wait a minute, so Kono knew this important fact and has never called for an increase in testing in Jaoan that remains far below some developing countries with lower population.

What a hypocrite, an opportunist.

No wonder about many US military soldiers are infected in bases. Some soldiers possibly have brought the corona virus in Japan and also in US military bases. The US military seem very selfish and arrogant. It is very understandable the US homeland is super-pandemic country.

While I agree with Kono that US military people coming into the country should all be tested, it is so hypocritical of him when his own government will not test people who request the test. I was appalled when I heard that Tokyo did a testing blitz one day and tested 5000 people! That is it? 5000 a day. They have had months to get more materials and labs up and running for the testing, but still they say they are struggling to do them. What a joke.

@MarkX

It seems to me any official guests from terribly infected countries should not bring any potential virus/disease in the first place. They should not enter land of Japan until end of 14 day quarantine and test is negative.

The problem with Covid-19 is that it isn't serious enough. If the global pandemic were something like ebola, and people were leaking from every orifice, then people would take precautions much more seriously.

"Defense Minister Taro Kono said Friday he has requested that the U.S. military conduct coronavirus testing on all personnel coming to Japan, after an outbreak of cases at U.S. bases on Okinawa."

What a discriminatory remark by a Japanese government official. Extremely bias and prejudicial by singling out one specific target vs the originators who introduced this to Japan and the world in the first place. If I was a government official I would make it "everyone" not just one specific class. Didn't Japan pass a non-discrimination law recently? Kono was sure silent and has me wondering how much is he invested in the country that is being very silent regarding Japan?

Kono is just trying to shore up support from his herd of nimbys. He's after Abe's job, and sadly with the way Japanese politics work, he might even succeed, I hope Abe sack him before it's too late.

Given that Trump called the pandemic a hoax, Japan needs to do something to protect itself.

Japan has so many infections everyday so far. Kono doesn't want any more infections from US Military bases, so US soldiers must have PCR test before entering. They infect people outside bases sooner or later. All countries surely don't welcome any people without PCR test to enter the country, even the US.

American troops and their families entering the country should be tested and self isolate for two weeks.

Sounds like a nazi plan to me, save the country by targeting particular groups of people. Sooner or later you just divide the country.

Science, evidence based policies should rule the day. The evidence says currently Japan's testing, quarantine and containment measures is well below the standard applied to US service personnel and their families. Yet they want to point the finger?

Kono is standing by a bunch of deplorable bigots, hoping they'll stand by him at the next election, this is not science, it's deplorable politics.

Essentially an export of loose mindset and prevention policies under Trump's leadership and influence. Striking difference from the stringent measures implemented at Japan's Self Defense Force with zero infections among the 2700 personnel during the Diamond Princess mission in April.

Currently, polymerase chain reaction tests are only being conducted on those who exhibit symptoms

Military intelligence. Ever the oxymoron.

American troops and their families entering the country should be tested and self isolate for two weeks.

....

KORE NANI

They already do this call any American base and ask they will tell as so

Starting when, two days ago?

Earlier this week 3 American military family eneterd via Haneda, were tested at the airport, then spent a night at a hotel, and then they flew to Iwakuni Air Base via commercial flight... all before getting their test results back, which ended up were all positive for coronavirus. The airport even had a hard time tracking them down to inform them that they were infected since they put down contact info for the hotel but they had already left (and they told immigration they would be renting a car to drive to Iwakuni since nobody arriving from abroad is suppose to take public transportation for 2 weeks). They then had to track and trace everyone who they were in contact with, including all who were on that domestic flight.

Read about it here:

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13546977

Well stated, Kono. Pass the test or go back home to the States. Stay on base. None of this getting taxis around, partying and mingling with the locals. The US Military personnel are not in Japan to have fun and party, they are in Japan to protect the country. Spreading around a super deadly virus from the US is NOT protecting Japan.

Simple as that.

When US military personnel arrived in Japan, better put them in special quarantine facility first by watch.

@Fighto, Mr. Kono should address all his concerns and questions concerning military personnel to the White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany via Japan's reporting representatives. This way it is put to bed once and for all. By the way Fighto interesting comments, the personnel are here in Japan to train yet are held back from training because of the noise too. So what exactly do you expect them to protect Japan with , sticks, stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me?

The U.S. forces responded that they are considering carrying out the tests, Kono said. Currently, polymerase chain reaction tests are only being conducted on those who exhibit symptoms.

> The NBA is more solid on handling the COVID-19 than the US military in the Ryukyus.

Why?

Maybe it’s because they felt they are the King in the Crimea of Asia and can do whatever they want .

Their bases even outnumbers all the Family Marts, Lawsons and 711’s combined so what can poor Kono do?

Da-kine zilch!

The U.S. forces responded that they are considering carrying out the tests, Kono said. Currently, polymerase chain reaction tests are only being conducted on those who exhibit symptoms.

The NBA is more solid on handling the COVID-19 than the US military in the Ryukyus.

Why?

Maybe it’s because they felt they are the King in the Crimea of Asia and can do whatever they want .

Their bases even outnumbers all the Family Marts, Lawsons and 711’s combined so what can poor Kono do?

Da-kine zilch!

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@rgcivilian1

They are supposedly here to protect Japan. If they have not been trained yet, then we don't need them. Let them train at home before coming here.

This guy is a nutter! Did he miss the part about the virus being contracted in Japan after a trip to Tokyo?

“"With so many asymptomatic people, PCR testing is a must," Kono said in a press conference, adding he had also called for tests to be carried out, without exception, on personnel before they leave the United States for Japan.”

Gave everyone in Japan tested then.

But of course, the huge resulting cultural stigma won’t allow it.

The gaijin in Okinawa? Easy scapegoat

Interesting, do read report by Japan professor Tasuku Honjo on covid 19.

You can tell the type of relationship Japan has with the U.S.

The expectation is for Japan to keep quiet, don't talk, don't complain, don't say anything to us because we have soldiers in Japan to protect you using your own money.

Japan have asked the American forces to test all personnel before they leave America and when they land in Tokyo it is stated they were tested before leaving America, why is there so many cases found now. after they have arrived. answer they were not properly tested, the same situation arose in Wuhan in China, American troops were sent to Wuhan on a joint war games program, last September after they left Wuhan was smitten with the virus, as was the American troops in the month of October when they went back home. it was in my opinion the Americans were fighting the virus before they went to Wuhan. the American troops took the virus to China, just as they are taking it to Japan. The problem lies in America.

@Hello Kitty 321Today  01:48 pm JST

@rgcivilian1

They are supposedly here to protect Japan. If they have not been trained yet, then we don't need them. Let them train at home before coming here.

Yes but in order to keep them highly trained and up to date with ever changing techniques, to be the best requires to be highly on top of training, as I said you can't expect them to use sticks and stones anymore.

They should really do this . Not only will this help the people of Okinawa, and as a result, of Japan, but this will also help the US military personnel who are there as well. A win-win situation if you ask me.

"They are supposedly here to protect Japan. If they have not been trained yet, then we don't need them. Let them train at home before coming here."

I suspect you have never served in a branch of the military. Training at home bases is not the same as training in theater where you might have to fight. Especially if the troops are expected to defend the Ryukyus they need to know the Ryukyus and the only way to do that is to practice that defense in the Ryukyus. Practicing at Camp Pendleton doesn't prepare you for the conditions in the Ryukyus and South China Sea. Hotter, more humid, rainier and vastly different terrain and vegetation. Different snakes too.

I speak with military on Okinawa and other areas often it's already being done

Mr Kono. Please check if testing are being done.

Definitely, correct.

They are supposedly here to protect Japan.

They are here to protect U.S. government interests. Full stop.

Kono asks that U.S. military personnel coming to Japan test for virus

Asks??

Whose country is this?

* **So the 290 new cases in Tokyo on saturday is america's fault? Or the 650 new cases in JAPAN that's America's fault also? *

Despite all the fumbling by the administration Japan is keeping daily cases to well under 1,000. The US, with a little over twice the population, is racking up tens of thousands a day. Even allowing for the indisputably low level of testing in Japan, it would seem to be a case of Physician Heal Thyself.