Treated PFAS water at Air Force base in Tokyo is safe for release, Japan says

By Seth Robson and Hana Kusumoto | Stars and Stripes | May 30, 2025

Read the full article by Seth Robson and Hana Kusumoto (Stars and Stripes)

"The Japanese government on Friday gave the U.S. military the green light to release about 400,000 gallons of treated water from this airlift hub in western Tokyo.

Japanese officials collected treated water samples during a May 14 visit to Yokota. Air Force officials also briefed them on plans to reduce the contamination and discharge the water from the base, according to a statement Friday from the ministries of Defense, Foreign Affairs and the Environment.

The water had been contaminated with PFOS and PFOA — toxic chemicals once found in firefighting foam used by the military — and was being stored in a reservoir and at a fire-training facility on base, the statement said."

Location:

• Asia
• AsiaJapan

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• ChemicalsPFOA
• ChemicalsPFOS
• ImpactDrinking water
• ImpactDrinking waterPrivate wells
• Affected community
• Health
• Measurement Techniques
• Monitoring Data
• PFAS Uses