Some US military personnel can still come to Japan despite nation’s new travel ban

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Some U.S. military personnel are still able to come to Japan despite a policy imposed Friday that bars entry for those arriving from the United States and 72 other countries.

Japan’s travel ban comes as the nation reports its biggest daily increase in new coronavirus cases to date with 277 people, including 97 in Tokyo, testing positive Thursday, according to Kyodo News. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported 2,617 cases and 63 deaths from the virus in the country as of Friday morning.

“While the [Government of Japan] has barred travelers from certain countries, they are allowing SOFA (status of forces agreement) persons to fly into Japan,” U.S. Forces Japan states on its website. A SOFA defines the legal status of the U.S. armed forces stationed in host countries.

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