United States Forces Japan

• Post-WWII Origins: United States Forces Japan (USFJ) was established in 1957, following the end of the Allied Occupation of Japan, to coordinate and command all US military forces stationed in Japan. • Headquarters Location: The USFJ headquarters is located at Yokota Air Base, just outside Tokyo, which serves as a strategic hub for US air operations in the Pacific. • Security Treaty: USFJ operates under the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan, which ensures both nations’ commitment to mutual defense. • Okinawa Presence: Approximately half of all US military personnel in Japan are stationed on the island of Okinawa, a legacy of its strategic importance since World War II. • Disaster Response: USFJ played a crucial role in Operation Tomodachi after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, providing humanitarian and disaster relief alongside Japanese forces. • Joint Training: USFJ units regularly conduct joint training and exercises with the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), such as Keen Sword and Yama Sakura, to strengthen alliance interoperability. • Unique Command Structure: The USFJ Commander is dual-hatted, also serving as the Fifth Air Force Commander, enhancing coordination between air operations and overall US presence in Japan. • Community Relations: USFJ coordinates extensive community engagement, including friendship festivals and English language programs, to foster good relations with Japanese citizens. • Force Size: There are typically around 50,000 US military personnel, 5,500 Department of Defense civilians, and 25,000 Japanese workers associated with USFJ bases. • Strategic Deterrence: USFJ serves as a key forward-deployed force in the Indo-Pacific, playing a central role in regional deterrence, especially amid tensions with North Korea and in the South China Sea.