Japan urges U.S. military to take virus tests prior to arrival

Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono said on Friday that he has called on the United States to conduct coronavirus testing on all U.S. military personnel coming to Japan after outbreaks of the virus hit U.S. bases in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa.

Kono told a press briefing on the matter that the defense ministry has requested that U.S. military personnel bound for Japan take one test prior to leaving the United States and one upon arrival in Japan.

"With so many asymptomatic people, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing is a must," Kono said, adding that tests needed to be carried out, without exception, on military personnel before leaving the United States and coming to Japan.

Kono said the U.S. side has said it is considering the request.

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