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New COVID Cases Complicate US Military Missions in Japan, South Korea

William Gallo

   SEOUL - The U.S. inability to contain the coronavirus at home is
   beginning to have a bigger impact on U.S. military missions overseas,
   some analysts warned Monday, as infections among American service
   members surge in Japan and South Korea.
   Japanese officials in Okinawa prefecture on Sunday said more than 60
   coronavirus cases have been reported at two U.S. Marine bases over the
   past week, including Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and Camp Hansen.
   On Monday, Japan's Asahi Shimbun [1]reported 32 more cases at the
   Futenma base.
   In response, the U.S. military placed Marines, their families, and
   contractors in Okinawa on lockdown, severely restricting their off-base
   access.

     In light of recent clusters of positive COVID-19 cases on Okinawa,
     Marine Forces Japan has implemented additional HPCON measures to
     limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. These measures have been
     put into place to protect our forces, our families, and our local
     communities. [2]pic.twitter.com/2uq9SzSNB0
     -- III MEF Marines (@IIIMEF) [3]July 11, 2020

   At a press conference Sunday, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki said he was
   "shocked" at the new infections and that he has "strong doubts" about
   measures taken by the U.S. military to prevent the spread of the virus.
   It's not clear where the Okinawa cases originated, but the Kyodo news
   agency reported the U.S. Marine Corps had experienced two "localized
   clusters" of individuals who tested positive.
   Arrivals from US
   The outbreak among U.S. service members in South Korea appears more
   contained, stemming mainly from recent arrivals of troops from the
   United States.
   Over the past two weeks, at least 34 service members or affiliated
   individuals have tested positive after arriving in South Korea from the
   United States, according to [4]statements from the U.S. military in
   South Korea.
   Four others during that period have tested positive after arriving from
   elsewhere, including Europe and Japan, the statements said.
   That is a sharp increase from previous months, when the U.S. military
   in South Korea reported only a slow trickle of new cases.
   Missions complicated?
   The infections create a precarious situation for South Korea and Japan,
   which have had relative success in containing the coronavirus.
   Japan has reported under 1,000 virus-related deaths, while South Korea
   has seen fewer than 300. The United States, meanwhile, has reported
   almost 135,000 deaths.
   With U.S. coronavirus cases and deaths continuing to soar, some
   analysts warn that Washington's inability to control the virus is
   complicating U.S. missions in Japan and South Korea, which host nearly
   80,000 U.S. troops and serve as the bedrock for the U.S.-led security
   order in East Asia.

References

   1. https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASN7F5F9JN7FTPOB002.html?iref=comtop_8_03
   2. https://t.co/2uq9SzSNB0
   3. https://twitter.com/IIIMEF/status/1281937402295013376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   4. https://www.usfk.mil/Media/News/

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