Keishi Koja
@keishirkoja.bsky.social
Okinawa-based reporter and translator for Stars and Stripes.
Reposted by Keishi Koja
Nearly 90 residents of neighboring Chatan town rehearsed an evacuation to higher ground on Kadena Air Base in Okinawa on Saturday, three months after a tsunami alert prompted the base to open the same escape route for real.
Okinawa air base rehearses tsunami escape route opened for actual alerts 3 years running
Nearly 90 people rehearsed an evacuation to higher ground on Kadena Air Base.
www.stripes.com
September 21, 2026 at 4:52 AM
Nearly 90 residents of neighboring Chatan town rehearsed an evacuation to higher ground on Kadena Air Base in Okinawa on Saturday, three months after a tsunami alert prompted the base to open the same escape route for real.
Japanese F-15s encounter third malfunction in a month on Okinawa
Japanese F-15s encounter third malfunction in a month on Okinawa
Japanese F-15 fighter makes precautionary landing at Kadena Air Base after hydraulic malfunction, the third incident involving the fighter in a month.
www.stripes.com
September 17, 2026 at 8:37 AM
Japanese F-15s encounter third malfunction in a month on Okinawa
Japan probes first Global Hawk crash, says surveillance missions will continue
Japan probes first Global Hawk crash, says surveillance missions will continue
The crash of a Japanese RQ-4B Global Hawk will not impede Self-Defense Force missions, according to the country’s Defense Ministry.
www.stripes.com
September 16, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Japan probes first Global Hawk crash, says surveillance missions will continue
Okinawa elects first governor in 12 years to support Marine airfield relocation
Okinawa elects first governor in 12 years to support Marine airfield relocation
Okinawans elected their first governor in 12 years to support the controversial relocation of a Marine Corps airfield.
www.stripes.com
September 14, 2026 at 7:51 AM
Okinawa elects first governor in 12 years to support Marine airfield relocation
Japanese F-15 disrupts Okinawa flights in second incident in less than a month
Japanese F-15 disrupts Okinawa flights in second incident in less than a month
A Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagle made a precautionary landing at Naha Airport.
www.stripes.com
September 11, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Japanese F-15 disrupts Okinawa flights in second incident in less than a month
US, Japan offer few details on report linking Okinawa bases to PFAS contamination
US, Japan offer few details on report linking Okinawa bases to PFAS contamination
The U.S. military did not confirm or deny a report that American officials identified two U.S. airfields on Okinawa as likely sources of PFAS contamination.
www.stripes.com
September 11, 2026 at 6:10 AM
US, Japan offer few details on report linking Okinawa bases to PFAS contamination
Reposted by Keishi Koja
U.S. military bases around the world marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Friday with ceremonies, stair climbs and other physical challenges honoring victims and first responders.
Stair climbs, solemn ceremonies mark 25th anniversary of 9/11 at overseas bases
Overseas U.S. bases marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with stair climbs and other challenges honoring victims and first responders.
www.stripes.com
September 11, 2026 at 6:09 AM
U.S. military bases around the world marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Friday with ceremonies, stair climbs and other physical challenges honoring victims and first responders.
More than 11 tons of World War II ordnance cleared from Okinawa in a year
More than 11 tons of World War II ordnance cleared from Okinawa in a year
Japan’s military cleared 20,138 pieces of ordnance weighing 11.47 tons in the past fiscal year, as the former battleground continues to yield buried ammunition.
www.stripes.com
September 10, 2026 at 12:01 AM
More than 11 tons of World War II ordnance cleared from Okinawa in a year
American tourist accused of setting Okinawa hotel fire where Marine helped rescue guests
American tourist accused of setting Okinawa hotel fire where Marine helped rescue guests
An American tourist faces arson and attempted murder charges for an Okinawa hotel fire wherein a Marine helped rescue guests.
www.stripes.com
September 2, 2026 at 7:43 AM
American tourist accused of setting Okinawa hotel fire where Marine helped rescue guests
Air Force moves to ease Okinawa housing shortage as families wait weeks for homes
Air Force moves to ease Okinawa housing shortage as families wait weeks for homes
Military families arriving on Okinawa are spending an average of three to five weeks searching for homes amid a tight housing market, officials said.
www.stripes.com
August 31, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Air Force moves to ease Okinawa housing shortage as families wait weeks for homes
United to launch first nonstop US-Okinawa flight in more than 50 years
United to launch first nonstop US-Okinawa flight in more than 50 years
United Airlines will begin service between Naha and San Francisco International airports.
www.stripes.com
August 31, 2026 at 5:25 AM
United to launch first nonstop US-Okinawa flight in more than 50 years
Marine found dead in vehicle on Okinawa ID’d as 20-year-old corporal
Marine found dead in vehicle on Okinawa ID’d as 20-year-old corporal
A Marine found dead last week inside a vehicle in northern Okinawa has been identified as Cpl. Joseph R. McDonald.
www.stripes.com
August 25, 2026 at 8:35 AM
Marine found dead in vehicle on Okinawa ID’d as 20-year-old corporal
US military moves ships, aircraft as another strong storm approaches Okinawa
US military moves ships, aircraft as another strong storm approaches Okinawa
U.S. military installations on Okinawa moved ships and aircraft, secured facilities and prepared as Typhoon Saudel approached the island.
www.stripes.com
August 25, 2026 at 7:18 AM
US military moves ships, aircraft as another strong storm approaches Okinawa
Marine found dead with head wound inside vehicle on Okinawa
Marine found dead with head wound inside vehicle on Okinawa
A U.S. Marine was found dead with a head wound inside a vehicle in northern Okinawa.
www.stripes.com
August 24, 2026 at 5:40 AM
Marine found dead with head wound inside vehicle on Okinawa
Russian missile drills near disputed islands deepen tensions with Japan
Russian missile drills near disputed islands deepen tensions with Japan
Russia fired antiship and cruise missiles during naval drills near islands claimed by Japan, according to Moscow.
www.stripes.com
August 21, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Russian missile drills near disputed islands deepen tensions with Japan
Marine rushes into burning Okinawa hotel to alert sleeping occupants
Marine rushes into burning Okinawa hotel to alert sleeping occupants
Marine Lance Cpl. Marshall Martinez ran into a burning Okinawa hotel to help people evacuate.
www.stripes.com
August 21, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Marine rushes into burning Okinawa hotel to alert sleeping occupants
Japanese F-15 mishap closes runway, disrupts flights at Okinawa airport
Read more at: www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
Read more at: www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
Japanese F-15 mishap closes runway, disrupts flights at Okinawa airport
An equipment failure on a Japanese fighter jet, an F-15J Eagle, caused a closure at one of the Naha Airport runways for several hours delaying more than 40 commercial flights.
www.stripes.com
August 19, 2026 at 7:06 AM
Japanese F-15 mishap closes runway, disrupts flights at Okinawa airport
Read more at: www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
Read more at: www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
Reposted by Keishi Koja
Inspection teams visited 11 U.S. installations in the Pacific in May 2025 and documented issues at Air Force and Marine Corps facilities on Okinawa and at Yokota in western Tokyo, according to a heavily redacted, 48-page report.
From Stars and Stripes' Joseph Ditzler:
From Stars and Stripes' Joseph Ditzler:
IG report details mold, failing pipes and deteriorating facilities at US bases in Japan
Inspection teams visited 11 U.S. installations in the Pacific in May 2025 and documented issues U.S. miliitary installations.
www.stripes.com
August 12, 2026 at 5:31 AM
Inspection teams visited 11 U.S. installations in the Pacific in May 2025 and documented issues at Air Force and Marine Corps facilities on Okinawa and at Yokota in western Tokyo, according to a heavily redacted, 48-page report.
From Stars and Stripes' Joseph Ditzler:
From Stars and Stripes' Joseph Ditzler:
North Korea launched a ballistic missile early Wednesday that flew about 430 miles off its eastern coast before falling outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, according to South Korean and Japanese defense officials.
Read more at: www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
Read more at: www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
North Korean missile reaches 56-mile altitude before falling west of Hokkaido
North Korea launched a ballistic missile early Wednesday that flew about 430 miles off its eastern coast before falling outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone
www.stripes.com
August 12, 2026 at 2:14 AM
North Korea launched a ballistic missile early Wednesday that flew about 430 miles off its eastern coast before falling outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, according to South Korean and Japanese defense officials.
Read more at: www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
Read more at: www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
Okinawa bases brace for lengthy lockdown, flooding from Typhoon Dolphin
Okinawa bases brace for lengthy lockdown, flooding from Typhoon Dolphin
Typhoon Dolphin puts military bases on Okinawa at highest alert as residents stock up, fill sandbags and prepare for high winds, flooding, power outages.
www.stripes.com
August 6, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Okinawa bases brace for lengthy lockdown, flooding from Typhoon Dolphin
Reposted by Keishi Koja
An emergency alert warning of a "real world active shooter" locked down Okinawa's Kadena Air Base late Tuesday, prompting a response by law enforcement before officials said no threat was found.
False active-shooter report triggers lockdown at Air Force base on Okinawa
Kadena Air Base went on lockdown for about an hour before it was lifted, and officials said no threat was substantiated.
www.stripes.com
August 4, 2026 at 10:42 PM
An emergency alert warning of a "real world active shooter" locked down Okinawa's Kadena Air Base late Tuesday, prompting a response by law enforcement before officials said no threat was found.
Community celebrates airman’s campaign to reduce litter on Okinawa’s party street
Community celebrates airman’s campaign to reduce litter on Okinawa’s party street
A one-man effort that began last year to clean up litter has grown into a community movement involving service members and Okinawa city residents.
www.stripes.com
August 3, 2026 at 7:56 AM
Community celebrates airman’s campaign to reduce litter on Okinawa’s party street
Marines provide first aid, stall assault suspect near Okinawa beach
Marines provide first aid, stall assault suspect near Okinawa beach
Three Marines intervened in an alleged assault, treated an injured Japanese man and stalled the suspect until police arrived.
www.stripes.com
August 3, 2026 at 6:43 AM
Marines provide first aid, stall assault suspect near Okinawa beach
Japanese destroyer fires Tomahawk missile in ‘historic test launch’
Japanese destroyer fires Tomahawk missile in ‘historic test launch’
The guided-missile destroyer JS Chokai successfully fired the Tomahawk cruise missile in the Pacific Ocean with support from the U.S. Navy.
www.stripes.com
July 31, 2026 at 6:58 AM
Japanese destroyer fires Tomahawk missile in ‘historic test launch’
Court upholds sentence of US sailor who had magic truffles mailed to Japan
Court upholds sentence of US sailor who had magic truffles mailed to Japan
A Japanese appeals court on Thursday upheld the conviction of a U.S. sailor who tried to obtain magic truffles through the Japanese postal system last year.
www.stripes.com
July 23, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Court upholds sentence of US sailor who had magic truffles mailed to Japan