Photo/Illutration Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi speaks to reporters in Tokyo after his talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the phone on Jan. 6. (Yuichi Nobira)

Japan appealed to the United States on Jan. 6 for stricter COVID-19 countermeasures at its military bases around the country amid concerns of outbreaks spilling over into nearby communities.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the phone and asked him to strengthen measures to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading, including restricting outings of people tied to the U.S. military.

Blinken reportedly replied that they will do their best.

Outbreaks have been reported at U.S. military facilities across the country, and local government officials, particularly in Okinawa Prefecture, said the highly contagious Omicron variant is spreading to local residents.

Hayashi told reporters that he spoke with Blinken for about 35 minutes. He said Blinken stressed that the health and safety of residents in communities near U.S. military bases are very important to the United States.

He said he would explain Japan’s request to the Defense Department and cooperate with the Japanese government.

Blinken added the United States would like to do as much as possible to prevent the virus from spreading further.

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