US Air Force Bans BYD Vehicles at Okinawa's Kadena Base
The US Air Force's 18th Wing at Kadena airbase in Okinawa, Japan, has banned all BYD vehicles, including privately owned cars, taxis and delivery vehicles, citing security risks.
The story in focus
The US Air Force's 18th Wing at Kadena airbase on Okinawa, Japan, banned all BYD vehicles, including private cars, taxis and delivery vehicles, effective this week. A spokesperson cited an "unacceptable and unmitigable risk" to personnel and mission. The ban follows the Pentagon's June addition of BYD to a list of firms with alleged military ties.
- The ban applies to all BYD vehicles, including privately owned cars, taxis and delivery vehicles.
- Lt Col Alli Stormer cited an "unacceptable and unmitigable risk" to personnel and mission.
- Security personnel at base gates have been instructed to block BYD vehicles.
- In June, the Pentagon added BYD to a list of 188 Chinese firms it believes have ties to China's military.
- Kadena is the largest US air force base in East Asia and hosts fighter planes and refuelling aircraft.
Security Concerns Drive Ban
The US Air Force's 18th Wing at Kadena airbase on Okinawa, Japan, has banned all BYD vehicles, including privately owned cars, taxis and delivery vehicles, effective this week. A spokesperson for the wing, Lt Col Alli Stormer, said the vehicles present an "unacceptable and unmitigable risk" to personnel and mission.
Security personnel at the base's gates have been instructed to block BYD vehicles and tell drivers to turn around, according to reports. The US military has not identified a specific threat, but the ban is part of wider Western measures restricting Chinese smart technology in vehicles and other devices over espionage fears.
Strategic Base and Wider Context
Kadena is the largest US air force base in East Asia and would be directly involved in responding to a crisis involving China, Russia or North Korea. Its inventory includes the Typhon missile system, fighter planes and refuelling aircraft.
In June, the Pentagon added BYD to a list of 188 Chinese firms it believes have ties to China's military, drawing a protest from Beijing. The US defence department previously banned Huawei and ZTE smartphones at military bases in 2018. China has imposed similar restrictions on Tesla vehicles.
BYD's Global Expansion
BYD, which overtook Tesla as the world's biggest seller of battery-electric vehicles in 2025, is expanding overseas, including in Japan, where it launched its Racco electric minicar in July. The company has not immediately responded publicly to the Kadena ban.
What does the Kadena ban mean for BYD's expansion in Japan?
The ban applies only to vehicles at the Kadena airbase, not to sales or use elsewhere in Japan. BYD, which launched its Racco minicar in Japan in July, has not publicly responded to the restriction.
Sources & further reading
- US bans vehicles from China’s BYD at Japan military base, calling them ‘unacceptable’ risk ↗The Guardian
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