Japan asks US forces to stay on base as COVID-19 cases jump

By YURI KAGEYAMA
Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi has asked that the U.S. military in Japan stay inside its bases to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Hayashi says he spoke on the phone with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Japan’s prime minister says he backs Hayashi’s request and has decided to tighten anti-virus measures in Okinawa and Yamaguchi, where U.S. bases are located. Hayashi’s request comes as the U.S. military is promising more stringent measures to curb rising cases. American forces have come under fire after a spike in cases in areas where they are based, including Okinawa.