Japan Requests Virus Tests For Us Military
Japan's Defense Minister Kono Taro says the country has asked the United States to conduct coronavirus tests on all of its military personnel who come to Japan.
Kono told reporters on Friday that the ministry requested two tests, one before such personnel leave the US and the other after they enter Japan, regardless of whether they have fevers or other suspected symptoms.
The request is in response to a rise in virus infections among US personnel in Japan.
More than 130 cases have been confirmed in Okinawa Prefecture, which hosts most of the US military facilities in Japan.
Although US citizens are subject to an entry ban aimed at curbing the outbreak, military personnel are exempt under the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement. But the US side quarantines them for 14 days both before they leave the US and after they enter Japan. Anyone found to have a fever takes a virus test.
Kono said preventing the spread of the virus is an important issue for the US military as well. He added that existing measures could enable virus carriers with no symptoms to move around, highlighting the need for virus tests.
