Publication

The United States and Japan should strongly consider making Yokota Air Base available for civilian aviation while simultaneously preserving military readiness and enhancing operational capacity. Doing so could lead to new infrastructure developments with both civilian and military benefits, help solve critical airport shortages for a close ally and potentially open the door to expanded US military use of civilian aviation facilities across Japan. Such a dispersed approach to military operations is well suited to current security challenges and could effectively serve the interests of both allies. If successful, expanding civilian access to Yokota would also set a valuable precedent for other bases in the Asia-Pacific region.