Starting Monday, Oct. 26, US forces in Japan will turn away every BYD vehicle at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa. The concern is that cameras and sensors in the cars could pick up sensitive military information. Yonhap News reported the plan on Friday.
Who is affected
Gate guards have reportedly been told to refuse all BYD vehicles with no exceptions. That includes personal cars, taxis, delivery vehicles and contractor vehicles. Kadena spokesperson Lt. Col. Alli Stormer told Reuters the cars pose “an unacceptable and unmitigable risk to our personnel and our mission.”
The security concern
Modern EVs carry cameras, sensors and wireless links. Per the Yonhap report, which cites US military officials in Japan, the fear is that a car driving through a base could capture its layout, aircraft positions and daily routines, and send that data off base. The military hasn’t said any BYD car has done this at Kadena.
Why Kadena Air Base
Kadena is the largest US air base in the Pacific. It is home to the 18th Wing and sits in Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost prefecture. The base holds aircraft, radar systems and ammunition.
The Pentagon list
In June, the Pentagon added BYD, Alibaba and Baidu to its 1260H list of Chinese military companies. Being listed doesn’t trigger sanctions by itself, though it affects Pentagon contracting. BYD denies being a military company and says its listing has no sound basis.
Could it spread?
Korean media reported the ban could extend to other US installations in Japan and South Korea, including Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Nothing has been decided. US Forces Korea says its access policy hasn’t changed. The US has about 50,000 troops in Japan and roughly 28,500 in South Korea, though some outlets still cite 39,000 for Korea.
