Migration
Yokota curtailing night hours at 2 gates
Stars and Stripes
March 9, 2015
The Yokota Air Base, Japan Fussa gate will be closed to vehicle traffic 10 p.m.-6 a.m. and closed to pedestrians from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. (Michael Dillon/Air Force)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Yokota is trimming the late-night hours for two of its main gates, effective April 1, Air Force officials announced Monday.
The Fussa Gate, which has allowed vehicle access from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and pedestrian access until 1 a.m., will be closed to vehicle traffic 10 p.m.-6 a.m. and closed to pedestrians from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. The visitor’s center there, where guests are signed in to the base, also will be closed from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.
The East Gate, which was open all hours, will be closed from 10 p.m.-6 a.m.
Visitors who arrive on the 8 p.m. shuttle from Narita Airport will have their passes issued at the Terminal Gate, which will be the only gate to remain open all hours, officials said.
The changes are being made to give security forces personnel — the gates are manned by Japanese guards — more downtime to enable greater “surge capabilities” and readiness in the event of a deployment, officials said.