The Japan Times reported that a restriction on vehicles made by BYD Company Limited (BYD) took effect at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa on Oct. 26, with U.S. officials citing security but no specific technical threat.
Kadena spokesperson Lt. Col. Alli Stormer told Reuters, “These vehicles present an unacceptable and unmitigable risk to our personnel and our mission.” Reuters reported Stormer did not identify the specific concern prompting the decision. The Japan Times said the restriction then applied only to Kadena. The U.S. Air Force identifies the 18th Wing as the base’s host unit and describes Kadena as its largest installation in the Pacific. The Air Force says the wing supports forward air operations in Asia-Pacific.
Yonhap, citing U.S. military officials in Japan, reported concerns that vehicle cameras and sensors could gather sensitive information and expose it. Aju Press separately reported GPS as a possible concern. Neither report identified a specific system or described a confirmed instance of data collection at Kadena.
Yonhap also reported that a notice covered vehicles used by military personnel, contractors, taxi services and other commercial operators, without exemptions. A publicly available Kadena directive spelling out those terms was not located.
U.S. Forces Japan spokesperson Col. John Severns told The Japan Times installation commanders can use measures allowed by law to counter threats they consider credible. He said commanders are responsible for protecting personnel, facilities and their assigned missions.
The Department of War said June 8 that its updated Section 1260H list named 188 entities meeting statutory criteria. A Federal Register notice lists BYD Company Limited. Neither document links the designation to Kadena’s restriction.
Reuters reported that China barred Tesla vehicles from some government compounds in 2021 over camera-related security concerns, then lifted the restrictions in 2024 after an endorsement from a Chinese auto industry association.
The Japan Times said it was unclear whether the restriction would extend to other U.S. bases in Japan. The Korea Times reported Oct. 23 that U.S. Forces Korea had not changed its access policy by that date.
