US bans BYD cars at Kadena Air Base

U.S. Forces Japan has ordered a complete ban on vehicles manufactured by Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD from entering Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. The restriction, which takes effect on October 26, is described as total and will apply at all entry points to the installation. Security personnel at the base’s access gates will block any BYD vehicle from entering and direct it to immediately turn around.

The policy covers all categories of BYD vehicles, including privately owned cars driven by base personnel, contractor vehicles, taxis, delivery trucks, and other commercial vehicles. Base authorities have stated that the measure will be applied without exception. The 18th Security Forces Squadron, responsible for protection of key assets, internal security, and traffic control at Kadena, will enforce the ban.

The decision is based on concerns that cameras, sensors, and communication functions embedded in BYD’s electric vehicles could be used to collect and leak sensitive information from around military facilities. Modern electric vehicles can film and sense their surroundings and in some cases transmit data to the cloud or support remote control functions. U.S. officials are concerned that such capabilities could allow detailed information about base layouts, equipment, and operations to be gathered.

Kadena Air Base hosts major military assets, including fighter jets, transport aircraft, radar and ammunition operated by the 18th Wing of the U.S. 5th Air Force. The base is considered the largest U.S. Air Force installation overseas and a core hub for the U.S. Pacific security front, supporting the defense of Japan and broader Indo-Pacific operations. The presence of advanced systems at the base, including missile launch capabilities, has added to the focus on preventing potential intelligence leaks.

The new Kadena vehicle restrictions follow earlier U.S. efforts to limit Chinese-made electronic devices at military facilities to protect military secrets. In June 2026, the U.S. Department of Defense placed BYD on a 1260H procurement restriction list that identifies Chinese military companies operating directly or indirectly in the United States. That list also includes large Chinese technology firms such as Alibaba (9988.HK) and Baidu (9888.HK).

In the past, the U.S. Department of Defense has banned the sale and use of smartphones manufactured by Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE (0763.HK) at commissaries and exchanges on U.S. military bases worldwide. It has also restricted the use of Huawei communication base stations near military facilities and overseas deployments. The Kadena measure extends these types of security controls from communications hardware and phones to internet-connected vehicles equipped with cameras, sensors and network functions.

Within U.S. Forces Japan, there is discussion that the ban on BYD vehicles might be extended to other major U.S. bases in Japan, such as Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa. Observers have also raised the possibility that similar restrictions could eventually be applied at U.S. Forces Korea bases, though no decision has been announced beyond Kadena.

Separately, concerns about Chinese “connected cars” have been raised in relation to other sensitive military facilities. Vehicles from Chinese manufacturers, including BYD, are reported to be registered for access at several high-security sites, such as naval commands, fighter wings operating advanced aircraft, and army headquarters. These connected cars typically carry multiple cameras, high-precision GPS, radars, microphones, and internet connectivity, heightening worries that data from around military facilities could be transmitted in real time to external entities.