MOD Notice 256 Decision on Joint Use of U.S. Military Facilities

The Ministry of Defense announced in the Official Gazette dated October 15, 2026, the promulgation of Ministry of Defense Notice No. 256, stating that it had decided on October 13, 2026, regarding the joint use, additional provision, and new provision of facilities and areas to be permitted for use by the United States of America pursuant to the provisions of Article II of the Agreement under Article VI of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States of America concerning Facilities and Areas and the Status of United States Armed Forces in Japan (Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement). The notice was issued in the name of Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi.

The legal basis for the notice is Article II of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SFA). Facilities for joint use are designated as “jointly used as training facilities,” while facilities provided as additional or new provisions are provided as facilities and areas to which Article II, paragraph 4(b) of the SFA applies, and the relevant provisions of the SFA shall apply during the period of provision. The Official Gazette of the same day also published Hokkaido Development Bureau Notice No. 74 and No. 75 (changes to general national highway areas) related to this matter.

Joint Use: Yokohama North Dock and 4 Ammunition Depots in Setouchi

• Yokohama North Dock (Facility No. 3067, Yokohama City) — Approx. 9,500 sq meters of national land, approx. 7,700 sq meters of public land, approx. 140 sq meters of national buildings. Jointly used as a training facility.
• Akizuki Ammunition Depot (4078, Etajima City) — Approx. 559,000 sq meters of national land, structures (gates, etc.).
• Kawakami Ammunition Depot (4083, Higashi-Hiroshima City) — Approx. 2,604,000 sq meters of national land, structures (gates, etc.).
• Hiro Ammunition Depot (4084, Kure City) — Approx. 225,000 sq meters of national land, approx. 630 sq meters of public land, approx. 134,000 sq meters of private land, national structures (gates, etc.).
• The period of use for all is from October 19 to October 29, 2026.

Additional Provision: 5 JSDF Facilities in the Southwestern Islands

• JGSDF South Naha Camp (6094, Naha City) — Approx. 1,500 sq meters of national buildings, structures (waterworks, etc.).
• JGSDF Ishigaki Camp (6095, Ishigaki City) — Approx. 6,900 sq meters of national land, approx. 2,800 sq meters of buildings, structures (waterworks, etc.).
• JGSDF Miyakojima Camp (6096, Miyakojima City) — Approx. 1,500 sq meters of national land, approx. 2,500 sq meters of buildings, structures (waterworks, etc.).
• JGSDF Bora Training Area (Miyakojima City) — Approx. 230 sq meters of national land, approx. 1,400 sq meters of buildings, structures (waterworks, etc.).
• JASDF Miyakojima Sub-base (6097, Miyakojima City) — Approx. 1,600 sq meters of national land, structures (pavement).
• The period of use for all is from October 19 to October 29, 2026.

New Provisions: Henmi District in Yokosuka and Shibushi Port in Kagoshima

• JMSDF Henmi District (3195, Yokosuka City) — Approximately 9,500 square meters of national land, structures (quays). Period of use is from October 26 to October 29, 2026, with additional periods for the deployment and withdrawal of training as necessary.
• Shibushi Port (5138, Shibushi City) — Approximately 10,000 square meters of public land, approximately 80 square meters of buildings, structures (water supply, etc.). Period of use is from October 19 to October 29, 2026, with additional periods as necessary.

Legal Effects and Scope of Affected Municipalities

Each facility provided through additional or new provision is provided as a facility or area to which Article II, paragraph 4(b) of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) applies, and the relevant provisions of the SOFA shall apply during the period of use. Joint use is limited to use as training facilities, and the ownership of the facilities is divided among national, public, and private ownership. The target areas extend to Yokohama City and Yokosuka City in Kanagawa Prefecture; Etajima City, Higashi-Hiroshima City, and Kure City in Hiroshima Prefecture; Naha City, Ishigaki City, and Miyakojima City in Okinawa Prefecture; and Shibushi City in Kagoshima Prefecture.

This decision is concentrated over a short period from October 19 to 29, and its content involves simultaneously opening garrisons and detached bases in the Southwestern Islands, as well as ports and ammunition depots on the mainland, as training foundations for the U.S. military. For municipalities surrounding the bases, noise, safety management during the training period, and the scope of the SOFA’s application will be the practical points of focus.

Official Sources

• Ministry of Defense Notice No. 256 (Official Gazette dated October 15, 2026; Decision date October 13, 2026; Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi)
• Related Notices: Hokkaido Development Bureau Notice No. 74 and No. 75 (Official Gazette of the same date)