Japan wants U.S. bases to restrict troops as military COVID cases explode

The Japanese government on Thursday voiced its displeasure at the way COVID cases are spreading across U.S. military bases throughout the country.

In a call with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi "strongly urged" the United States to strengthen public health measures in military installations to help curb the spread of infections, according to a readout from Tokyo. The implementation of curfews also was suggested as a way to address the concerns of local Japanese residents.

Japan's more than 4,000 new cases on Thursday were its highest number since its previous peak in August and September last year. Some fear community transmission, especially of the Omicron variant, could be worsened by the influx of American troops returning to Japan after the holiday period.