"CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — U.S. Forces Japan has denied Okinawa prefecture’s requests to test for so-called “forever chemicals” at three U.S. military bases, citing insufficient evidence that the facilities are sources of contamination.

USFJ denied access to Kadena Air Base, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and Marine Corps Camp Hansen to collect water and soil samples for testing, according to a news release Friday from Japan’s Ministry of Defense. A request to USFJ to conduct an environmental survey of Futenma also was denied. 

“PFAS in the environment is a shared concern associated not only with military operations but also civilian industrial activities throughout Japan including fire response, sewage treatment plants, solid waste landfills, and chemical plants regardless of nationality,” USFJ spokeswoman Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Savannah Mesimer said by email Monday."

Brian McElhiney and Keishi Koja report for Stars and Stripes December 22, 2025. [2]